Method for performing service request procedure and apparatus therefor in wireless communication system

ABSTRACT

In an aspect of the present invention, a method for performing a service request message of an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) in a wireless communication system may include a packet data unit (PDU) session identifier (ID) for a PDU session whose activation is desired by a user equipment from the user equipment; transmitting a first message comprising the PDU session ID to a session management function (SMF); when an establishment of the PDU session is rejected by the SMF: receiving a second message comprising a reject cause of the PDU session establishment as a response to the first message; and transmitting a service response message comprising the reject cause and a PDU session ID rejected by the reject cause to the user equipment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/522,702 filed on Jun. 21, 2017 and No. 62/528,987 filed on Jul. 6,2017. The contents of this application are hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to wireless communication and, moreparticularly, to a method for performing/supporting User Equipmenttriggered service request procedure and an apparatus for the same.

Related Art

A mobile communication system has been developed to provide a voiceservice while guaranteeing activity of a user. However, the mobilecommunication system extends an area up to a data service as well as avoice and at present, a short phenomenon of a resource is caused due toan explosive increase of traffic and uses require a higher-speedservice, and as a result, a more developed mobile communication systemis required.

Requirements of a next-generation mobile communication system largelyneed to support accommodation of explosive data traffic, an epochalincrease of transmission rate per user, accommodation of thesignificantly increased number of connection devices, very lowend-to-end latency, and high energy efficiency. To this end, varioustechnologies have been researched, which include dual connectivity,massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO), in-band full duplex,non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), super wideband supporting, devicenetworking, and the like.

Particularly, for the device in which power consumption significantlyinfluences on the life of the device, various techniques for decreasingthe power consumption has been vigorously developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to solve various problems that mayoccur according to procedure ambiguity by defining a service requestprocedure of a wireless communication system more clearly.

The present invention proposes the embodiments for a method andapparatus for solving the technical problems. The technical problems tosolve in the present invention is not limited to the technical problemsmentioned above, but can be clearly understood by those ordinary skilledin the art to which the present invention is pertained from thedescription below.

In an aspect of the present invention, a method for performing a servicerequest message of an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) in awireless communication system may include a packet data unit (PDU)session identifier (ID) for a PDU session whose activation is desired bya user equipment from the user equipment; transmitting a first messagecomprising the PDU session ID to a session management function (SMF);when an establishment of the PDU session is rejected by the SMF:receiving a second message comprising a reject cause of the PDU sessionestablishment as a response to the first message; and transmitting aservice response message comprising the reject cause and a PDU sessionID rejected by the reject cause to the user equipment.

In addition, the method for performing a service request message mayinclude: receiving a third message comprising N2 SM informationincluding information to be provided from the AMF to an access network(AN) as a response to the first message; and transmitting the N2 SMinformation to the AN when the establishment of the PDU session isaccepted by the SMF.

In addition, the transmitting the N2 SM information to the AN mayinclude, when a plurality of PDU session IDs involving a plurality ofSMFs is included in the service request message, transmitting N2 SMinformation received from at least some of the plurality of SMFs to theAN through an N2 request message without waiting for a reception of N2SM information from all of the plurality of SMFs.

In addition, the transmitting the N2 SM information to the AN mayinclude, transmitting additional N2 SM information to the AN through aseparate N2 message when the additional N2 SM information is receivedfrom remaining SMFs except the at least some of the plurality of SMFs.

In addition, the separate N2 message may correspond to an N2 tunnelsetup request message.

In addition, the AN may be a network node performing a radio resourcecontrol (RRC) connection reconfiguration for the user equipment based onthe N2 SM information.

In addition, the service response message may be transmitted after thesecond message and/or the third message is received from all of theplurality of SMFs when the plurality of PDU session IDs involving theplurality of SMFs is included in the service request message.

In addition, the service response message may include an accept resultof a PDU session establishment for all of the plurality of PDU sessionIDs.

In addition, the service response message may correspond to a serviceaccept message.

In another aspect of the present invention, an Access and MobilityManagement Function (AMF) for performing a service request procedure ina wireless communication system may include a communication moduleconfigured to transmit and receive signals; and a processor configuredto control the communication module, the processor is configured to:receive a service request message comprising a packet data unit (PDU)session identifier (ID) for a PDU session whose activation is desired bya user equipment from the user equipment, transmit a first messagecomprising the PDU session ID to a session management function (SMF),when an establishment of the PDU session is rejected by the SMF: receivea second message comprising a reject cause of the PDU sessionestablishment as a response to the first message, and transmit a serviceresponse message comprising the reject cause and a PDU session IDrejected by the reject cause to the user equipment.

In addition, the processor may be configured to: when the establishmentof the PDU session is accepted by the SMF, receive a third messagecomprising N2 SM information including information to be provided fromthe AMF to an access network (AN) as a response to the first message,and transmit the N2 SM information to the AN.

In addition, when the N2 SM information is transmitted to the AN, theprocessor may be configured to: when a plurality of PDU session IDsinvolving a plurality of SMFs is included in the service requestmessage, transmit N2 SM information received from at least some of theplurality of SMFs to the AN through an N2 request message withoutwaiting for a reception of N2 SM information from all of the pluralityof SMFs.

In addition, the processor may be configured to transmit additional N2SM information to the AN through a separate N2 message when theadditional N2 SM information is received from remaining SMFs except theat least some of the plurality of SMFs.

In addition, the separate N2 message may correspond to an N2 tunnelsetup request message.

In addition, the AN may be a network node performing a radio resourcecontrol (RRC) connection reconfiguration for the user equipment based onthe N2 SM information.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a service requestprocedure is more clearly defined, and accordingly, various problemsthat may occur according to ambiguity.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, anaccept/reject for a PDU session establishment and/or a reject cause isclearly instructed to an AMF, and accordingly, there is an effect thatprocedural ambiguity and operational ambiguity of the AMF may besettled.

The Effects which may be obtained by the present invention are notlimited to the aforementioned effects, and other technical effects notdescribed above may be evidently understood by a person having ordinaryskill in the art to which the present invention pertains from thefollowing description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention as a part of detailed descriptions,illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with thedescriptions, serve to explain the technical principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an Evolved Packet System (EPS) to which the presentinvention can be applied.

FIG. 2 illustrates one example of an Evolved Universal Terrestrial RadioAccess Network (E-UTRAN) to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 3 illustrates structures of an E-UTRAN and an EPC in a wirelesscommunication system to which the present invention may be applied.

FIG. 4 illustrates a radio interface protocol structure between a UE andan E-UTRAN in a wireless communication system to which the presentinvention may be applied.

FIG. 5 illustrates an S1 interface protocol structure in a wirelesscommunication system to which the present invention may be applied.

FIG. 6 illustrates a physical channel structure in a wirelesscommunication system to which the present invention may be applied.

FIG. 7 illustrates an EMM and ECM states in a wireless communicationsystem to which the present invention may be applied.

FIG. 8 illustrates a contention-based random access procedure in awireless communication system to which the present invention may beapplied.

FIG. 9 illustrates a 5G system architecture using reference pointrepresentation.

FIG. 10 illustrates a 5G system architecture using a service-basedrepresentation.

FIG. 11 illustrates an NG-RAN architecture to which the presentinvention may be applied.

FIG. 12 illustrates a wireless protocol stack to which the presentinvention may be applied.

FIG. 13 illustrates an RM state model to which the present invention maybe applied.

FIG. 14 illustrates a CM state model to which the present invention maybe applied.

FIG. 15 illustrates a UE triggered Service Request procedure in CM-IDLEstate which is applicable to the present invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a UE triggered Service Request procedure inCM-CONNECTED state which is applicable to the present invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates a network triggered Service Request procedure whichis applicable to the present invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates MO SMS transmission procedure via NAS in CM-IDLEwhich is applicable to the present invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates MO SMS procedure using one step approach in CM-IDLEwhich is applicable to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a method for performing a servicerequest procedure of an AMF according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 21 illustrates a block diagram of a communication apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 shows a block diagram of a communication apparatus according toan embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In what follows, preferred embodiments according to the presentinvention will be described in detail with reference to appendeddrawings. The detailed descriptions provided below together withappended drawings are intended only to explain illustrative embodimentsof the present invention, which should not be regarded as the soleembodiments of the present invention. The detailed descriptions belowinclude specific information to provide complete understanding of thepresent invention. However, those skilled in the art will be able tocomprehend that the present invention can be embodied without thespecific information.

For some cases, to avoid obscuring the technical principles of thepresent invention, structures and devices well-known to the public canbe omitted or can be illustrated in the form of block diagrams utilizingfundamental functions of the structures and the devices.

A base station in this document is regarded as a terminal node of anetwork, which performs communication directly with a UE. In thisdocument, particular operations regarded to be performed by the basestation may be performed by a upper node of the base station dependingon situations. In other words, it is apparent that in a networkconsisting of a plurality of network nodes including a base station,various operations performed for communication with a UE can beperformed by the base station or by network nodes other than the basestation. The term Base Station (BS) can be replaced with a fixedstation, Node B, evolved-NodeB (eNB), Base Transceiver System (BTS), orAccess Point (AP). Also, a terminal can be fixed or mobile; and the termcan be replaced with User Equipment (UE), Mobile Station (MS), UserTerminal (UT), Mobile Subscriber Station (MSS), Subscriber Station (SS),Advanced Mobile Station (AMS), Wireless Terminal (WT), Machine-TypeCommunication (MTC) device, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) device, orDevice-to-Device (D2D) device.

In what follows, downlink (DL) refers to communication from a basestation to a terminal, while uplink (UL) refers to communication from aterminal to a base station. In downlink transmission, a transmitter canbe part of the base station, and a receiver can be part of the terminal.Similarly, in uplink transmission, a transmitter can be part of theterminal, and a receiver can be part of the base station.

Specific terms used in the following descriptions are introduced to helpunderstanding the present invention, and the specific terms can be usedin different ways as long as it does not leave the technical scope ofthe present invention.

The technology described below can be used for various types of wirelessaccess systems based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), FrequencyDivision Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA),Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single CarrierFrequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), or Non-Orthogonal MultipleAccess (NOMA). CDMA can be implemented by such radio technology asUniversal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) or CDMA2000. TDMA can beimplemented by such radio technology as Global System for Mobilecommunications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), or EnhancedData rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE). OFDMA can be implemented by suchradio technology as the IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), the IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX),the IEEE 802-20, or Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA). UTRA is part of the UniversalMobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). The 3rd Generation PartnershipProject (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) is part of the Evolved UMTS(E-UMTS) which uses the E-UTRA, employing OFDMA for downlink and SC-FDMAfor uplink transmission. The LTE-A (Advanced) is an evolved version ofthe 3GPP LTE system.

Embodiments of the present invention can be supported by standarddocuments disclosed in at least one of wireless access systems includingthe IEEE 802, 3GPP, and 3GPP2 specifications. In other words, among theembodiments of the present invention, those steps or parts omitted forthe purpose of clearly describing technical principles of the presentinvention can be supported by the documents above. Also, all of theterms disclosed in this document can be explained with reference to thestandard documents.

To clarify the descriptions, this document is based on the 3GPPLTE/LTE-A, but the technical features of the present invention are notlimited to the current descriptions.

Terms used in this document are defined as follows.

-   -   Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS): the 3rd        generation mobile communication technology based on GSM,        developed by the 3GPP    -   Evolved Packet System (EPS): a network system comprising an        Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a packet switched core network based        on the Internet Protocol (IP) and an access network such as the        LTE and UTRAN. The EPS is a network evolved from the UMTS.    -   NodeB: the base station of the UMTS network. NodeB is installed        outside and provides coverage of a macro cell.    -   eNodeB: the base station of the EPS network. eNodeB is installed        outside and provides coverage of a macro cell.    -   Home NodeB: It is installed indoors as a based station, and the        coverage is a micro cell scale.    -   Home eNodeB: It is installed indoors as a base station of the        EPS network, and the coverage is a micro cell scale.    -   User Equipment (UE): A UE can be called a terminal, Mobile        Equipment (ME), or Mobile Station (MS). A UE can be a portable        device such as a notebook computer, mobile phone, Personal        Digital Assistant (PDA), smart phone, or a multimedia device; or        a fixed device such as a Personal Computer (PC) or        vehicle-mounted device. The term UE may refer to an MTC terminal        in the description related to MTC.    -   IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS): a sub-system providing multimedia        services based on the IP    -   International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI): a globally        unique subscriber identifier assigned in a mobile communication        network    -   Machine Type Communication (MTC): communication performed by        machines without human intervention. It may be called        Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication.    -   MTC terminal (MTC UE or MTC device or MRT apparatus): a terminal        (e.g., a vending machine, meter, and so on) equipped with a        communication function (e.g., communication with an MTC server        through PLMN) operating through a mobile communication network        and performing the MTC functions.    -   MTC server: a server on a network managing MTC terminals. It can        be installed inside or outside a mobile communication network.        It can provide an interface through which an MTC user can access        the server. Also, an MTC server can provide MTC-related services        to other servers (in the form of Services Capability Server        (SCS)) or the MTC server itself can be an MTC Application        Server.    -   (MTC) application: services (to which MTC is applied) (for        example, remote metering, traffic movement tracking, weather        observation sensors, and so on)    -   (MTC) Application Server: a server on a network in which (MTC)        applications are performed    -   MTC feature: a function of a network to support MTC        applications. For example, MTC monitoring is a feature intended        to prepare for loss of a device in an MTC application such as        remote metering, and low mobility is a feature intended for an        MTC application with respect to an MTC terminal such as a        vending machine.    -   MTC user: an MTC user uses a service provided by an MTC server.    -   MTC subscriber: an entity having a connection relationship with        a network operator and providing services to one or more MTC        terminals.    -   MTC group: an MTC group shares at least one or more MTC features        and denotes a group of MTC terminals belonging to MTC        subscribers.    -   Services Capability Server (SCS): an entity being connected to        the 3GPP network and used for communicating with an MTC        InterWorking Function (MTC-IWF) on a Home PLMN (HPLMN) and an        MTC terminal. The SCS provides the capability for a use by one        or more MTC applications.    -   External identifier: a globally unique identifier used by an        external entity (for example, an SCS or an Application Server)        of the 3GPP network to indicate (or identify) an MTC terminal        (or a subscriber to which the MTC terminal belongs). An external        identifier comprises a domain identifier and a local identifier        as described below.    -   Domain identifier: an identifier used for identifying a domain        in the control region of a mobile communication network service        provider. A service provider can use a separate domain        identifier for each service to provide an access to a different        service.    -   Local identifier: an identifier used for deriving or obtaining        an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI). A local        identifier should be unique within an application domain and is        managed by a mobile communication network service provider.    -   Radio Access Network (RAN): a unit including a Node B, a Radio        Network Controller (RNC) controlling the Node B, and an eNodeB        in the 3GPP network. The RAN is defined at the terminal level        and provides a connection to a core network.    -   Home Location Register (HLR)/Home Subscriber Server (HSS): a        database provisioning subscriber information within the 3GPP        network. An HSS can perform functions of configuration storage,        identity management, user state storage, and so on.    -   RAN Application Part (RANAP): an interface between the RAN and a        node in charge of controlling a core network (in other words, a        Mobility Management Entity (MME)/Serving GPRS (General Packet        Radio Service) Supporting Node (SGSN)/Mobile Switching Center        (MSC)).    -   Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN): a network formed to provide        mobile communication services to individuals. The PLMN can be        formed separately for each operator.    -   Non-Access Stratum (NAS): a functional layer for exchanging        signals and traffic messages between a terminal and a core        network at the UMTS and EPS protocol stack. The NAS is used        primarily for supporting mobility of a terminal and a session        management procedure for establishing and maintaining an IP        connection between the terminal and a PDN GW.    -   Service Capability Exposure Function (SCEF): an entity in 3GPP        architecture for the service capability exposure that provides a        means for safely exposing a service and a capability provided by        3GPP network interface.    -   MME (Mobility Management Entity): A network node in an EPS        network, which performs mobility management and session        management functions    -   PDN-GW (Packet Data Network Gateway): A network node in the EPS        network, which performs UE IP address allocation, packet        screening and filtering, and charging data collection functions.    -   Serving GW (Serving Gateway): A network node in the EPS network,        which performs functions such as mobility anchor, packet        routing, idle mode packet buffering, and triggering paging for        the ME of MME    -   Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF): A node in the EPS        network, which performs policy decision to dynamically apply        differentiated QoS and billing policies for each service flow    -   Open Mobile Alliance Device Management (OMA DM): A protocol        designed to manage mobile devices such as mobile phones, PDAs,        and portable computers, which performs such functions as device        configuration, firmware upgrade, and error report    -   Operation Administration and Maintenance (OAM): A network        management function group which provides network fault        indication, performance information, and data and diagnostic        functions    -   NAS configuration MO (Management Object): A Management Object        (MO) used to configure the UE with the parameters associated        with the NAS functionality.    -   PDN (Packet Data Network): A network in which a server        supporting a specific service (e.g., MMS server, WAP server,        etc.) is located.    -   PDN connection: A connection from the UE to the PDN, that is,        the association (connection) between the UE represented by the        IP address and the PDN represented by the APN.    -   APN (Access Point Name): A string that refers to or identifies        the PDN. It is a name (string) (e.g.,        internet.mnc012.mcc345.gprs) predefined in the network when the        P-GW is accessed to access the requested service or network        (PDN).    -   Home Location Register (HLR)/Home Subscriber Server (HSS): A        database (DB) that represents subscriber information in the 3GPP        network.    -   NAS (Non-Access-Stratum): The upper stratum of the control plane        between the UE and the MME. It supports mobility management,        session management and IP address maintenance between the UE and        the network.    -   AS (Access-Stratum): It includes the protocol stack between the        UE and the radio (or access) network and is responsible for        transmitting data and network control signals.

In what follows, the present invention will be described based on theterms defined above.

Overview of System to which the Present Invention can be Applied

A System Overview to which the Present Invention is Applied

FIG. 1 illustrates an Evolved Packet System (EPS) to which the presentinvention can be applied.

The network structure of FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram restructuredfrom an Evolved Packet System (EPS) including Evolved Packet Core (EPC).

The EPC is a main component of the System Architecture Evolution (SAE)intended for improving performance of the 3GPP technologies. SAE is aresearch project for determining a network structure supporting mobilitybetween multiple heterogeneous networks. For example, SAE is intended toprovide an optimized packet-based system which supports various IP-basedwireless access technologies, provides much more improved datatransmission capability, and so on.

More specifically, the EPC is the core network of an IP-based mobilecommunication system for the 3GPP LTE system and capable of supportingpacket-based real-time and non-real time services. In the existingmobile communication systems (namely, in the 2nd or 3rd mobilecommunication system), functions of the core network have beenimplemented through two separate sub-domains: a Circuit-Switched (CS)sub-domain for voice and a Packet-Switched (PS) sub-domain for data.However, in the 3GPP LTE system, an evolution from the 3rd mobilecommunication system, the CS and PS sub-domains have been unified into asingle IP domain. In other words, in the 3GPP LTE system, connectionbetween UEs having IP capabilities can be established through anIP-based base station (for example, eNodeB), EPC, and application domain(for example, IMS). In other words, the EPC provides the architectureessential for implementing end-to-end IP services.

The EPC comprises various components, where FIG. 1 illustrates part ofthe EPC components, including a Serving Gateway (SGW or S-GW), PacketData Network Gateway (PDN GW or PGW or P-GW), Mobility Management Entity(MME), Serving GPRS Supporting Node (SGSN), and enhanced Packet DataGateway (ePDG).

The SGW operates as a boundary point between the Radio Access Network(RAN) and the core network and maintains a data path between the eNodeBand the PDN GW. Also, in case the UE moves across serving areas by theeNodeB, the SGW acts as an anchor point for local mobility. In otherwords, packets can be routed through the SGW to ensure mobility withinthe E-UTRAN (Evolved-UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System)Terrestrial Radio Access Network defined for the subsequent versions ofthe 3GPP release 8). Also, the SGW may act as an anchor point formobility between the E-UTRAN and other 3GPP networks (the RAN definedbefore the 3GPP release 8, for example, UTRAN or GERAN (GSM (GlobalSystem for Mobile Communication)/EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GlobalEvolution) Radio Access Network).

The PDN GW corresponds to a termination point of a data interface to apacket data network. The PDN GW can support policy enforcement features,packet filtering, charging support, and so on. Also, the PDN GW can actas an anchor point for mobility management between the 3GPP network andnon-3GPP networks (for example, an unreliable network such as theInterworking Wireless Local Area Network (I-WLAN) or reliable networkssuch as the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network and Wimax).

In the example of a network structure as shown in FIG. 1, the SGW andthe PDN GW are treated as separate gateways; however, the two gatewayscan be implemented according to single gateway configuration option.

The MME performs signaling for the UE's access to the network,supporting allocation, tracking, paging, roaming, handover of networkresources, and so on; and control functions. The MME controls controlplane functions related to subscribers and session management. The MMEmanages a plurality of eNodeBs and performs signaling of theconventional gateway's selection for handover to other 2G/3G networks.Also, the MME performs such functions as security procedures,terminal-to-network session handling, idle terminal location management,and so on.

The SGSN deals with all kinds of packet data including the packet datafor mobility management and authentication of the user with respect toother 3GPP networks (for example, the GPRS network).

The ePDG acts as a security node with respect to an unreliable, non-3GPPnetwork (for example, I-WLAN, WiFi hotspot, and so on).

As described with respect to FIG. 1, a UE with the IP capability canaccess the IP service network (for example, the IMS) that a serviceprovider (namely, an operator) provides, via various components withinthe EPC based not only on the 3GPP access but also on the non-3GPPaccess.

Also, FIG. 1 illustrates various reference points (for example, S1-U,S1-MME, and so on). The 3GPP system defines a reference point as aconceptual link which connects two functions defined in disparatefunctional entities of the E-UTAN and the EPC. Table 1 below summarizesreference points shown in FIG. 1. In addition to the examples of FIG. 1,various other reference points can be defined according to networkstructures.

TABLE 1 Reference point Description S1-MME Reference point for thecontrol plane protocol between E-UTRAN and MME S1-U Reference pointbetween E-UTRAN and Serving GW for the per bearer user plane tunnelingand inter eNodeB path switching during handover S3 It enables user andbearer information exchange for inter 3GPP access network mobility inidle and/or active state. This reference point can be used intra-PLMN orinter-PLMN (e.g. in the case of Inter-PLMN HO). S4 It provides relatedcontrol and mobility support between GPRS core and the 3GPP anchorfunction of Serving GW. In addition, if direct tunnel is notestablished, it provides the user plane tunneling. S5 It provides userplane tunneling and tunnel management between Serving GW and PDN GW. Itis used for Serving GW relocation due to UE mobility if the Serving GWneeds to connect to a non-collocated PDN GW for the required PDNconnectivity. S11 Reference point for the control plane protocol betweenMME and SGW SGi It is the reference point between the PDN GW and thepacket data network. Packet data network may be an operator externalpublic or private packet data network or an intra- operator packet datanetwork (e.g., for provision of IMS services). This reference pointcorresponds to Gi for 3GPP accesses.

Among the reference points shown in FIG. 1, S2a and S2b corresponds tonon-3GPP interfaces. S2a is a reference point which provides reliable,non-3GPP access, related control between PDN GWs, and mobility resourcesto the user plane. S2b is a reference point which provides relatedcontrol and mobility resources to the user plane between ePDG and PDNGW.

FIG. 2 illustrates one example of an Evolved Universal Terrestrial RadioAccess Network (E-UTRAN) to which the present invention can be applied.

The E-UTRAN system has evolved from an existing UTRAN system and may bethe 3GPP LTE/LTE-A system, for example. A communication system isdisposed over a wide area to provide various communication servicesincluding voice communication through IMS and packet data (for example,VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)).

Referring to FIG. 2, an E-UMTS network comprises an E-UTRAN, EPC, andone or more UEs. The E-UTRAN comprises eNBs providing a UE with acontrol plane and user plane protocols, where the eNBs are connected toeach other through X2 interface.

The X2 user plane interface (X2-U) is defined among the eNBs. The X2-Uinterface provides non-guaranteed delivery of the user plane Packet DataUnit (PDU). The X2 control plane interface (X2-CP) is defined betweentwo neighboring eNBs. The X2-CP performs the functions of contextdelivery between eNBs, control of user plane tunnel between a source eNBand a target eNB, delivery of handover-related messages, uplink loadmanagement, and so on.

The eNB is connected to the UE through a radio interface and isconnected to the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) through the S1 interface.

The S1 user plane interface (S1-U) is defined between the eNB and theServing Gateway (S-GW). The S1 control plane interface (S1-MME) isdefined between the eNB and the Mobility Management Entity (MME). The S1interface performs the functions of EPS bearer service management, NASsignaling transport, network sharing, MME load balancing management, andso on. The S1 interface supports many-to-many-relation between the eNBand the MME/S-GW.

An MME is capable of performing various functions such as NAS signalingsecurity, AS (Access Stratum) security control, inter-CN (Core Network)signaling for supporting mobility among 3GPP access networks, IDLE modeUE reachability (including performing and controlling retransmission ofa paging message), TAI (Tracking Area Identity) management (for IDLE andactive mode UEs), PDN GW and SGW selection, MME selection for handoverin which MMES are changed, SGSN selection for handover to a 2G or 3G3GPP access network, roaming, authentication, bearer management functionincluding dedicated bearer establishment, and support for transmissionof a PWS (Public Warning System) (including Earthquake and TsunamiWarning System (ETWS) and Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS))message.

FIG. 3 illustrates structures of an E-UTRAN and an EPC in a wirelesscommunication system to which the present invention may be applied.

Referring to FIG. 3, an eNB is capable of performing functions such asselection of a gateway (for example, MME), routing to a gateway duringRRC (Radio Resource Control) activation, scheduling and transmission ofa BCH (Broadcast Channel), dynamic resource allocation for a UE inuplink and downlink transmission, and mobility control connection in anLTE ACTIVE state. As described above, a gateway belonging to an EPC iscapable of performing functions such as paging origination, LTE IDLEstate management, ciphering of a user plane, SAE (System ArchitectureEvolution) bearer control, and ciphering of NAS signaling and integrityprotection.

FIG. 4 illustrates a radio interface protocol structure between a UE andan E-UTRAN in a wireless communication system to which the presentinvention can be applied.

FIG. 4(a) illustrates a radio protocol structure for the control plane,and FIG. 4(b) illustrates a radio protocol structure for the user plane.

With reference to FIG. 4, layers of the radio interface protocol betweenthe UE and the E-UTRAN can be divided into a first layer (L1), a secondlayer (L2), and a third layer (L3) based on the lower three layers ofthe Open System Interconnection (OSI) model, widely known in thetechnical field of communication systems. The radio interface protocolbetween the UE and the E-UTRAN consists of the physical layer, data linklayer, and network layer in the horizontal direction, while in thevertical direction, the radio interface protocol consists of the userplane, which is a protocol stack for delivery of data information, andthe control plane, which is a protocol stack for delivery of controlsignals.

The control plane acts as a path through which control messages used forthe UE and the network to manage calls are transmitted. The user planerefers to the path through which the data generated in the applicationlayer, for example, voice data, Internet packet data, and so on aretransmitted. In what follows, described will be each layer of thecontrol and the user plane of the radio protocol.

The physical layer (PHY), which is the first layer (L1), providesinformation transfer service to upper layers by using a physicalchannel. The physical layer is connected to the Medium Access Control(MAC) layer located at the upper level through a transport channelthrough which data are transmitted between the MAC layer and thephysical layer. Transport channels are classified according to how andwith which features data are transmitted through the radio interface.And data are transmitted through the physical channel between differentphysical layers and between the physical layer of a transmitter and thephysical layer of a receiver. The physical layer is modulated accordingto the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) scheme andemploys time and frequency as radio resources.

A few physical control channels are used in the physical layer. ThePhysical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) informs the UE of resourceallocation of the Paging Channel (PCH) and the Downlink Shared Channel(DL-SCH); and Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) information relatedto the Uplink Shared Channel (UL-SCH). Also, the PDCCH can carry a ULgrant used for informing the UE of resource allocation of uplinktransmission. The Physical Control Format Indicator Channel (PCFICH)informs the UE of the number of OFDM symbols used by PDCCHs and istransmitted at each subframe. The Physical HARQ Indicator Channel(PHICH) carries a HARQ ACK (ACKnowledge)/NACK (Non-ACKnowledge) signalin response to uplink transmission. The Physical Uplink Control Channel(PUCCH) carries uplink control information such as HARQ ACK/NACK withrespect to downlink transmission, scheduling request, Channel QualityIndicator (CQI), and so on. The Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH)carries the UL-SCH.

The MAC layer of the second layer (L2) provides a service to the RadioLink Control (RLC) layer, which is an upper layer thereof, through alogical channel. Also, the MAC layer provides a function of mappingbetween a logical channel and a transport channel; andmultiplexing/demultiplexing a MAC Service Data Unit (SDU) belonging tothe logical channel to the transport block, which is provided to aphysical channel on the transport channel.

The RLC layer of the second layer (L2) supports reliable datatransmission. The function of the RLC layer includes concatenation,segmentation, reassembly of the RLC SDU, and so on. To satisfy varyingQuality of Service (QoS) requested by a Radio Bearer (RB), the RLC layerprovides three operation modes: Transparent Mode (TM), UnacknowledgedMode (UM), and Acknowledge Mode (AM). The AM RLC provides errorcorrection through Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ). Meanwhile, in casethe MAC layer performs the RLC function, the RLC layer can beincorporated into the MAC layer as a functional block.

The Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer of the second layer(L2) performs the function of delivering, header compression, cipheringof user data in the user plane, and so on. Header compression refers tothe function of reducing the size of the Internet Protocol (IP) packetheader which is relatively large and includes unnecessary control toefficiently transmit IP packets such as the IPv4 (Internet Protocolversion 4) or IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) packets through a radiointerface with narrow bandwidth. The function of the PDCP layer in thecontrol plane includes delivering control plane data andciphering/integrity protection.

The Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer in the lowest part of the thirdlayer (L3) is defined only in the control plane. The RRC layer performsthe role of controlling radio resources between the UE and the network.To this purpose, the UE and the network exchange RRC messages throughthe RRC layer. The RRC layer controls a logical channel, transportchannel, and physical channel with respect to configuration,re-configuration, and release of radio bearers. A radio bearer refers toa logical path that the second layer (L2) provides for data transmissionbetween the UE and the network. Configuring a radio bearer indicatesthat characteristics of a radio protocol layer and channel are definedto provide specific services; and each individual parameter andoperating methods thereof are determined. Radio bearers can be dividedinto Signaling Radio Bearers (SRBs) and Data RBs (DRBs). An SRB is usedas a path for transmitting an RRC message in the control plane, while aDRB is used as a path for transmitting user data in the user plane.

The Non-Access Stratum (NAS) layer in the upper of the RRC layerperforms the function of session management, mobility management, and soon.

A cell constituting the base station is set to one of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10,and 20 MHz bandwidth, providing downlink or uplink transmission servicesto a plurality of UEs. Different cells can be set to differentbandwidths.

Downlink transport channels transmitting data from a network to a UEinclude a Broadcast Channel (BCH) transmitting system information, PCHtransmitting paging messages, DL-SCH transmitting user traffic orcontrol messages, and so on. Traffic or a control message of a downlinkmulti-cast or broadcast service can be transmitted through the DL-SCH orthrough a separate downlink Multicast Channel (MCH). Meanwhile, uplinktransport channels transmitting data from a UE to a network include aRandom Access Channel (RACH) transmitting the initial control messageand a Uplink Shared Channel (UL-SCH) transmitting user traffic orcontrol messages.

A logical channel lies above a transmission channel and is mapped to thetransmission channel. The logical channel may be divided into a controlchannel for delivering control area information and a traffic channelfor delivering user area information. The control channel may include aBCCH (Broadcast Control Channel), PCCH (Paging Control Channel), CCCH(Common Control Channel), DCCH (Dedicated Control Channel), and MCCH(Multicast Control Channel). The traffic channel may include a DTCH(Dedicated Traffic Channel) and MTCH (Multicast Traffic Channel). ThePCCH is a downlink channel for delivering paging information and is usedwhen a network does not know the cell to which a UE belongs. The CCCH isused by a UE that does not have an RRC connection to a network. The MCCHis a point-to-multipoint downlink channel used for delivering MBMS(Multimedia Broadcast and Multicast Service) control information from anetwork to a UE. The DCCH is a point-to-point bi-directional channelused by a UE with an RRC connection delivering dedicated controlinformation between a UE and a network. The DTCH is a point-to-pointchannel dedicated to one UE for delivering user information that mayexist in an uplink and downlink. The MTCH is a point-to-multipointdownlink channel for delivering traffic data from a network to a UE.

In the case of an uplink connection between a logical channel and atransport channel, the DCCH may be mapped to a UL-SCH, and the DTCH maybe mapped to a UL-SCH, and the CCCH may be mapped to a UL-SCH. In thecase of a downlink connection between a logical channel and a transportchannel, the BCCH may be mapped to a BCH or DL-SCH, the PCCH may bemapped to a PCH, the DCCH may be mapped to a DL-SCH, the DTCH may bemapped to a DL-SCH, the MCCH may be mapped to an MCH, and the MTCH maybe mapped to the MCH.

FIG. 5 illustrates an S1 interface protocol structure in a wirelesscommunication system to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 5(a) illustrates the control plane protocol stack in the S1interface, and FIG. 5(b) illustrates the user plane interface protocolstructure in the S1 interface.

With reference to FIG. 5, the S1 control plane interface (S1-MME) isdefined between the eNB and the MME. Similar to the user plane, thetransport network layer is based on IP transmission. However, to ensurereliable transmission of message signaling, the transport network layeris added to the Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) layer whichsits on top of the IP layer. The application layer signaling protocol iscalled S1 Application Protocol (S1-AP).

The SCTP layer provides guaranteed delivery of application layermessages.

The transport IP layer employs point-to-point transmission for ProtocolData Unit (PDU) signaling transmission.

For each S1-MME interface instance, single SCTP association uses a pairof stream identifiers for the S-MME common procedure. Only part ofstream identifier pairs is used for the S1-MME dedicated procedure. TheMME communication context identifier is allocated by the MME for theS1-MME dedicated procedure, and the eNB communication context identifieris allocated by the eNB for the S1-MME dedicated procedure. The MMEcommunication context identifier and the eNB communication contextidentifier are used for identifying a UE-specific S1-MME signalingtransmission bearer. The communication context identifier is deliveredwithin each S1-AP message.

In case the S1 signaling transport layer notifies the S1AP layer ofdisconnection of signaling, the MME changes the state of the UE whichhas used the corresponding signaling connection to ECM-IDLE state. Andthe eNB releases RRC connection of the corresponding UE.

The S1 user plane interface (S1-U) is defined between eNB and S-GW. TheS1-U interface provides non-guaranteed delivery of the user plane PDUbetween the eNB and the S-GW. The transport network layer is based on IPtransmission, and the GPRS Tunneling Protocol User Plane (GTP-U) layeris used on top of the UDP/IP layer to deliver the user plane PDU betweenthe eNB and the S-GW.

FIG. 6 illustrates a physical channel structure in a wirelesscommunication system to which the present invention may be applied.

Referring to FIG. 6, a physical channel delivers signaling and data byusing a radio resource comprising one or more subcarriers in thefrequency domain and one or more symbols in the time domain.

One subframe having a length of 1.0 ms comprises a plurality of symbols.A specific symbol(s) of a subframe (for example, a first symbol of asubframe) may be used for a PDCCH. The PDCCH carries information aboutdynamically allocated resources (for example, resource block and MCS(Modulation and Coding Scheme)).

EMM and ECM State

In what follows, EPS Mobility Management (EMM) and EPS ConnectionManagement (ECM) states will be described.

FIG. 7 illustrates an EMM and ECM states in a wireless communicationsystem to which the present invention can be applied.

With reference to FIG. 7, to manage mobility of the UE in the NAS layerdefined in the control planes of the UE and the MME, EMM-REGISTERED andEMM-DEREGISTERED states can be defined according to the UE is attachedto or detached from a network. The EMM-REGISTERED and theEMM-DEREGISTERED states can be applied to the UE and the MME.

Initially, the UE stays in the EMM-DEREGISTERED state as when the UE isfirst powered on and performs registering to a network through aninitial attach procedure to connect to the network. If the connectionprocedure is performed successfully, the UE and the MME makes transitionto the EMM-REGISTERED state. Also, in case the UE is powered off or theUE fails to establish a radio link (namely, a packet error rate for aradio link exceeds a reference value), the UE is detached from thenetwork and makes a transition to the EMM-DEREGISTERED state.

In addition, to manage signaling connection between the UE and thenetwork, ECM-CONNECTED and ECM-IDLE states can be defined. TheECM-CONNECTED and ECM-IDLE states can also be applied to the UE and theMME. ECM connection consists of RRC connection formed between the UE andthe eNB; and S1 signaling connection formed between the eNB and the MME.In other words, establishing/releasing an ECM connection indicates thatboth of the RRC connection and S1 signaling connection have beenestablished/released.

The RRC state indicates whether the RRC layer of the UE is logicallyconnected to the RRC layer of the eNB. In other words, in case the RRClayer of the UE is connected to the RRC layer of the eNB, the UE staysin the RRC CONNECTED state. If the RRC layer of the UE is not connectedto the RRC layer of the eNB, the UE stays in the RRC IDLE state.

The network can identify the UE staying in the ECM-CONNECTED state atthe level of cell unit and can control the UE in an effective manner.

On the other hand, the network is unable to know the existence of the UEstaying in the ECM-IDLE state, and a Core Network (CN) manages the UE onthe basis of a tracking area unit which is an area unit larger than thecell. While the UE stays in the ECM-IDLE state, the UE performsDiscontinuous Reception (DRX) that the NAS has configured by using theID allocated uniquely in the tracking area. In other words, the UE canreceive a broadcast signal of system information and paging informationby monitoring a paging signal at a specific paging occasion for eachUE-specific paging DRX cycle.

When the UE is in the ECM-IDLE state, the network does not carry contextinformation of the UE. Therefore, the UE staying in the ECM-IDLE statecan perform a mobility-related procedure based on the UE such as cellselection or cell reselection without necessarily following an order ofthe network. In case the location of the UE differs from the locationrecognized by the network while the UE is in the ECM-IDLE state, the UEcan inform the network of the corresponding location of the UE through aTracking Area Update (TAU) procedure.

On the other hand, when the UE is in the ECM-CONNECTED state, mobilityof the UE is managed by an order of the network. While the UE stays inthe ECM-CONNECTED state, the network knows to which cell the UEcurrently belongs. Therefore, the network can transit and/or receiverdata to or from the UE, control mobility of the UE such as handover, andperform cell measurement with respect to neighboring cells.

As described above, the UE has to make a transition to the ECM-CONNECTEDstate in order to receive a general mobile communication service such asa voice or data communication service. As when the UE is first poweredon, the UE in its initial state stays in the ECM-IDLE state as in theEMM state, and if the UE successfully registers to the correspondingnetwork through an initial attach procedure, the UE and the MEE make atransition to the ECM connection state. Also, in case the UE has alreadyregistered to the network but radio resources are not allocated astraffic is not activated, the UE stays in the ECM-IDLE state, and if newuplink or downlink traffic is generated for the corresponding UE, the UEand the MME make a transition to the ECM-CONNECTED state through aService Request procedure.

Random Access Procedure

In what follows, a random access procedure provided by the LTE/LTE-Asystem will be described.

A UE employs the random access procedure to obtain uplinksynchronization with an eNB or to have uplink radio resources. Afterbeing powered up, the UE acquires downlink synchronization with aninitial cell and receives system information. From the systeminformation, the UE obtains a set of available random access preamblesand information about a radio resource used for transmission of a randomaccess preamble. The radio resource used for transmission of a randomaccess preamble may be specified by a combination of at least one ormore subframe indices and indices on the frequency domain. The UEtransmits a random access preamble selected in a random fashion from theset of random access preambles, and the eNB receiving the random accesspreamble transmits a TA (Timing Alignment) value for uplinksynchronization through a random access response. By using the procedureabove, the UE obtains uplink synchronization.

The random access procedure is common to FDD (Frequency Division Duplex)and TDD (Time Division Duplex) scheme. The random access procedure isindependent of a cell size and is also independent of the number ofserving cells in case CA (Carrier Aggregation) is configured.

First, a UE performs the random access procedure in the following cases.

-   -   The case in which a UE performs initial access in an RRC idle        state in the absence of an RRC connection to an eNB    -   The case in which a UE performs an RRC connection        re-establishment procedure    -   The case in which a UE connects to a target cell for the first        time while performing a handover procedure    -   The case in which a random access procedure is requested by a        command from an eNB    -   The case in which downlink data are generated while uplink        synchronization is not met in the RRC connected state    -   The case in which uplink data are generated while uplink        synchronization is not met in the RRC connected state or a        designated radio resource used for requesting a radio resource        is not allocated    -   The case in which positioning of a UE is performed while timing        advance is needed in the RRC connected state    -   The case in which a recovery process is performed at the time of        a radio link failure or handover failure

The 3GPP Rel-10 specification takes into account applying a TA (TimingAdvance) value applicable to one specific cell (for example, P cell)commonly to a plurality of cells in a wireless access system. However, aUE may combine a plurality of cells belonging to different frequencybands (namely separated with a large distance in the frequency domain)or a plurality of cells having different propagation characteristics.Also, in the case of a specific cell, if the UE performs communicationwith the eNB (namely macro eNB) through one cell and performscommunication with the SeNB through other cell while a small cell suchas an RRH (Remote Radio Header) (namely repeater), femto-cell, orpico-cell or a secondary eNB (SeNB) is disposed within the cell forcoverage expansion or removal of a coverage hole, a plurality of cellsmay have different propagation delays. In this case, when the UEperforms uplink transmission so that one TA value is applied commonly toa plurality of cells, synchronization of uplink signals transmittedamong the plurality of cells may be seriously influenced. Therefore, itmay be preferable to have multiple TA values under the CA mode in whicha plurality of cells are aggregated. The 3GPP Rel-11 specification takesinto account allocating a TA value separately for each specific cellgroup to support multiple TA values. This is called a TA group (TAG); aTAG may have one or more cells, and the same TA value may be appliedcommonly to one or more cells belonging to the TAG. To support themultiple TA values, a MAC TA command control element is composed of a2-bit TAG Identity (ID) and a 6-bit TA command field.

The UE on which a carrier aggregation is configured performs the randomaccess procedure in case that the random access procedure previouslydescribed is required in connection with PCell. In case of TAG (that is,primary TAG (pTAG)) to which PCell belongs, the TA, which is determinedbased on PCell same as the existing case, or regulated through therandom access procedure that accompanies PCell, can be applied to allthe cells within the pTAG. Meanwhile, in case of TAG (that is, secondaryTAG (sTAG)) that is configured with SCells only, the TA, which isdetermined based on a specific SCell within sTAG, can be applied to allthe cells within the corresponding sTAG, and in this time, the TA may beacquired through the random access procedure by being initiated by theeNB. Particularly, the SCell in the sTAG is set to be a (Random AccessChannel) RACH resource, and the eNB requests a RACH access in SCell fordetermining TA. That is, the eNB initiates the RACH transmission on theSCells by PDCCH order that is transmitted from PCell. The responsemessage for the SCell preamble is transmitted through PCell by usingRA-RNTI. The TA that is determined based on SCell that successfullycompletes the random access can be applied to all the cells in thecorresponding sTAG by the UE. Like this, the random access procedure maybe performed in SCell as well in order to acquire timing alignment ofthe sTAG to which the corresponding SCell belongs.

In a process of selecting a random access preamble (RACH preamble), theLTE/LTE-A system supports both of a contention based random accessprocedure and a non-contention based random access procedure. In theformer procedure, a UE selects one arbitrary preamble from a specificset, while, in the latter procedure, the UE uses the random accesspreamble that an eNB has allocated only to the specific UE. It should benoted, however, that the non-contention based random access proceduremay be confined to the handover process described above, a caserequested by a command from the eNB, and UE positioning and/or timingadvance alignment for sTAG. After the random access procedure iscompleted, a normal uplink/downlink transmission occurs.

Meanwhile, a relay node (RN) also support both of the contention basedrandom access procedure and the non-contention based random accessprocedure. When a relay node performs the random access procedure, RNsubframe configuration is suspended. That is, this means that the RNsubframe configuration is temporarily discarded. Thereafter, the RNsubframe structure is resumed at the time when the random accessprocedure is successfully completed.

FIG. 8 illustrates a contention-based random access procedure in awireless communication system to which the present invention may beapplied.

(1) Msg 1 (Message 1)

First, a UE selects one random access preamble (RACH preamble) randomlyfrom a set of random access preambles indicated by system information ora handover command. The UE then selects a PRACH (Physical RACH) resourcecapable of transmitting the random access preamble and transmits therandom access preamble by using the PRACH resource.

A random access preamble is transmitted in six bits on the RACHtransmission channel, where the six bit comprises a 5-bit randomidentity for identifying a UE which transmits a RACH preamble and 1 bitfor representing additional information (for example, indicating size ofMsg 3).

An eNB which has received a random access preamble from a UE decodes thepreamble and obtains RA-RNTI. A time-frequency resource of a randomaccess preamble transmitted by the corresponding UE determines theRA-RNTI related to a PRACH to which a random access preamble istransmitted.

(2) Msg 2 (Message 2)

The eNB transmits a random access response to the UE, where the RA-RNTIobtained by using the preamble on Msg 1 addresses the random accessresponse. A random access response may include an RA preambleindex/identifier, UL grant indicating a uplink radio resource, TemporaryCell RNTI (TC-RNTI), and Time Alignment Command (TAC). A TAC indicates atime synchronization value that the eNB transmits to the UE to maintainuplink time alignment. The UE updates uplink transmission timing byusing the time synchronization value. If the UE updates timesynchronization, the UE initiates or restarts a time alignment timer.The UL grant includes uplink resource allocation and TPC (Transmit PowerCommand) used for transmitting a scheduling message (Msg 3) describedlater. The TPC is used to determine the transmission power for ascheduled PUSCH.

The UE attempts to receive a random access response within a randomaccess response window indicated by the eNB through system informationor a handover command, detects a PDCCH masked with an RA-RNTIcorresponding to the PRACH, and receives a PDSCH indicated by thedetected PDCCH. The random access response information may betransmitted in the form of a MAC PDU (MAC Packet Data Unit) and the MACPDU may be transmit through the PDSCH. It is preferable that the PDCCHshould include information of the UE that has to receive the PDSCH,frequency and time information of a radio resource of the PDSCH, andtransmission format of the PDSCH. As described above, once the UEsucceeds to detect the PDCCH transmitted to itself, it may properlyreceive a random access response transmitted to the PDSCH according tothe information of the PDCCH.

The random access response window refers to a maximum time interval inwhich the UE transmitting a preamble waits to receive a random accessresponse message. The random access response window has a length of‘ra-ResponseWindowSize’ starting from a subframe after three subframesin the last subframe transmitting a preamble. In other words, the UEwaits to receive a random access response during a random access windowsecured after three subframes from the subframe completed transmissionof the preamble. The UE may obtain the random access window size(‘ra-ResponseWindowsize’) parameter through system information, and therandom access window size is determined to be a value between 2 to 10.

If receiving a random access response having the same random accesspreamble delimiter/identity as that of the random access preambletransmitted to the eNB, the UE stops monitoring the random accessresponse. On the other hand, if failing to receive a random accessresponse message until a random access response window is terminated orfailing to receive a valid random access response having the same randomaccess preamble identity as that of the random access preambletransmitted to the eNB, the UE may consider reception of the randomaccess response as having failed and then perform retransmission of thepreamble.

As described above, the reason why a random access preamble identity isneeded for a random access response is that one random access responsemay include random access response information for one or more UEs andthus it is necessary to indicate to which UE the UL grant, TC-RNTI, andTAC is valid.

(3) Msg 3 (Message 3)

Receiving a valid random access response, the UE separately processesthe information included in the random access response. In other words,the UE applies the TAC and stores the TC-RNTI. Also, by using the ULgrant, the UE transmits the data stored in its buffer or newly generateddata to the eNB. In case the UE is connected for the first time, an RRCConnection request generated at the RRC layer and transmitted through aCCCH may be included in the Msg 3 and transmitted. And in the case of anRRC Connection Re-establishment procedure, an RRC ConnectionRe-establishment request generated at the RRC layer and transmittedthrough the CCCH may be included in the Msg 3 and transmitted. Also, aNAS connection request message may be included in the Msg 3.

The Msg 3 has to include a UE identity. In the case of a contentionbased random access procedure, the eNB is unable to determine which UEsperform the random access procedure. Thus, the eNB needs the UE identityfor each UE to avoid potential contention.

There are two methods for including UE identities. In the first method,if the UE already has a valid cell identity (C-RNTI) allocated by thecorresponding cell before performing the random access procedure, the UEtransmits its cell identity though a uplink transmission signalcorresponding to the UL grant. On the other hand, if the UE has notreceived a valid cell identity before performing the random accessprocedure, the UE transmits its unique identity (for example,S(SAE)-TMSI or a random number). In most cases, the unique identity islonger than the C-RNTI.

The UE uses UE-specific scrambling for transmission on UL-SCH. In casethe UE has received a C-RNTI, the UE may perform scrambling by using theC-RNTI. In case the UE has not received a C-RNTI yet, the UE is unableto perform C-RNTI based scrambling but uses a TC-RNTI received from arandom access response instead. If having received data corresponding tothe UL grant, the UE initiates a contention resolution timer forresolving contention.

(4) Msg 4 (Message 4)

Receiving the C-RNTI of a UE through the Msg 3 from the correspondingUE, the eNB transmits a Msg 4 to the UE by using the receiving C-RNTI.On the other hand, in case the eNB receives the unique identity (namelyS-TMSI or a random number) through the Msg 3, the eNB transmit the Msg 4to the UE by using a TC-RNTI allocated to the corresponding UE from arandom access response. As one example, the Msg 4 may include an RRCConnection Setup message.

After transmitting data including an identity through a UL grantincluded in the random access response, the UE waits for a command fromthe eNB to resolve contention. In other words, two methods are availablefor a method for receiving the PDCCH, too. As described above, in casethe identity in the Msg 3 transmitted in response to the UL grant is theC-RNTI, the UE attempts to receive the PDCCH by using its C-RNTI. Incase the identity is a unique identity (in other words, S-TMSI or arandom number), the UE attempts to receive the PDCCH by using theTC-RNTI included in the random access response. Afterwards, in theformer case, if the UE receives the PDCCH though its C-RNTI before thecontention resolution timer expires, the UE determines that the randomaccess procedure has been performed normally and terminates the randomaccess procedure. In the latter case, if the UE receives the PDCCHthrough the TC-RNTI before the contention resolution timer is completed,the UE checks the data transmitted by the PDSCH indicated by the PDCCH.If the data includes a unique identity of the UE, the UE determines thatthe random access procedure has been performed successfully andterminates the random access procedure. The UE obtains the C-RNTIthrough the Msg 4, after which the UE and the network transmit andreceive a UE dedicated message by using the C-RNTI.

Next, a method for resolving contention during random access will bedescribed.

The reason why contention occurs during random access is that the numberof random access preambles is, in principle, finite. In other words,since the eNB is unable to assign random access preambles unique to therespective UEs, a UE selects and transmits one from among common randomaccess preambles. Accordingly, although there are cases where two ormore UEs select and transmit the same random access preamble by usingthe same radio resource (PRACH resource), the eNB considers the randomaccess preamble as the one transmitted from a single UE. Thus, the eNBtransmits a random access response to the UE and expects that only oneUE receive the random access response. However, as described above,because of the possibility of contention, two or more UEs receive thesame random access response, and each receiving UE performs an operationdue to the random access response. In other words, a problem occurswhere two or more UEs transmit different data to the same radio resourceby using one UL grant included in the random access response.Accordingly, transmission of the data may all fail, or the eNB maysucceed to receive only the data from a specific UE depending on thepositions of transmission power of UEs. In the latter case, since two ormore UEs assume that they all have succeeded to transmit their data, theeNB has to inform those UEs that have failed in the contention abouttheir failure. In other words, contention resolution refers to theoperation of informing a UE about whether it has succeeded or failed.

Two methods are used for contention resolution. One of the methodsemploys a contention resolution timer and the other method employstransmitting an identity of a successful UE to other UEs. The formercase is used when a UE already has a unique C-RNTI before performing arandom access process. In other words, a UE that already has a C-RNTItransmits data including its C-RNTI to the eNB according to a randomaccess response and operates a contention resolution timer. And if theUE receives a PDCCH indicated by its C-RNTI before the contentionresolution timer expires, the UE determines that it has won thecontention and finishes random access normally. On the other hand, ifthe UE fails to receive a PDCCH indicated by its C-RNTI before thecontention resolution timer expires, the UE determines that it has lostthe contention and performs the random access process again or inform aupper layer of the failure. The latter contention resolution method,namely the method for transmitting an identity of a successful UE, isused when a UE does not have a unique cell identity before performingthe random access process. In other words, in case the UE has no cellidentity, the UE transmits data by including an upper identity (S-TMSIor a random number) higher than a cell identity in the data according tothe UL grant information included in a random access response andoperates a contention resolution timer. In case the data including theupper identity of the UE is transmitted to a DL-SCH before thecontention resolution timer expires, the UE determines that the randomaccess process has been performed successfully. On the other hand, incase the data including the upper identity of the UE is not transmittedto the DL-SCH before the contention resolution data expires, the UEdetermines that the random access process has failed.

Meanwhile, different from the contention based random access processillustrated in FIG. 11, a non-contention based random access processfinishes its procedures only by transmitting the Msg 1 and 2. However,before the UE transmits a random access preamble to the eNB as the Msg1, the eNB allocates a random access preamble to the UE. The randomaccess procedure is terminated as the UE transmits the allocated randomaccess preamble to the eNB as the Msg 1 and receives a random accessresponse from the eNB.

5G System Architecture to which the Present Invention May be Applied

A 5G system is a technology advanced from the 4th generation LTE mobilecommunication technology and a new radio access technology (RAT) throughthe evolution of the existing mobile communication network structure ora clean-state structure and an extended technology of long termevolution (LTE), and it supports extended LTE (eLTE), non-3GPP (e.g.,WLAN) access and so on.

A 5G system is defined based on a service, and an interaction betweennetwork functions (NFs) within architecture for a 5G system may beexpressed by two methods as follows.

-   -   Reference point representation (FIG. 9): indicates an        interaction between NF services within NFs described by a        point-to-point reference point (e.g., N11) between two NFs        (e.g., AMF and SMF).    -   Service-based representation (FIG. 10): network functions (e.g.,        AMFs) within a control plane (CP) permit other authenticated        network functions to access its own service. If this        representation is necessary, it also includes a point-to-point        reference point.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating 5G system architecture using areference point representation.

Referring to FIG. 9, the 5G system architecture may include variouselements (i.e., a network function (NF)). This drawing illustrates anauthentication server function (AUSF), a (core) access and mobilitymanagement function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), a policycontrol function (PCF), an application function (AF), united datamanagement (UDM), a data network (DN), a user plane function (UPF), a(radio) access network ((R)AN) and a user equipment (UE) correspondingto some of the various elements.

Each of the NFs supports the following functions.

-   -   AUSF stores data for the authentication of a UE.    -   AMF provides a function for access of a UE unit and mobility        management and may be basically connected to one AMF per one UE.

Specifically, the AMF supports functions, such as signaling between CNnodes for mobility between 3GPP access networks, the termination of aradio access network (RAN) CP interface (i.e., N2 interface), thetermination (N1) of NAS signaling, NAS signaling security (NAS cipheringand integrity protection), AS security control, registration areamanagement, connection management, idle mode UE reachability (includingcontrol and execution of paging retransmission), mobility managementcontrol (subscription and policy), intra-system mobility andinter-system mobility support, the support of network slicing, SMFselection, lawful interception (for an AMF event and an interface to anLI system), the provision of transfer of a session management (SM)message between a UE and an SMF, a transparent proxy for SM messagerouting, access authentication, access authorization including a roamingright check, the provision of transfer of an SMS message between a UEand an SMSF(SMS(Short Message Service) function), a security anchorfunction (SEA) and/or security context management (SCM).

Some or all of the functions of the AMF may be supported within a singleinstance of one AMF.

-   -   DN means an operator service, Internet access or a 3rd party        service, for example. The DN transmits a downlink protocol data        unit (PDU) to an UPF or receives a PDU, transmitted by a UE,        from a UPF.    -   PCF provides a function for receiving information about a packet        flow from an application server and determining a policy, such        as mobility management and session management. Specifically, the        PCF supports functions, such as the support of a unified policy        framework for controlling a network behavior, the provision of a        policy rule so that a CP function(s) (e.g., AMF or SMF) can        execute a policy rule, and the implementation of a front end for        accessing related subscription information in order to determine        a policy within user data repository (UDR).    -   SMF provides a session management function and may be managed by        a different SMF for each session if a UE has a plurality of        sessions.

Specifically, the SMF supports functions, such as session management(e.g., session setup, modification and release including the maintenanceof a tunnel between a UPF and an AN node), UE IP address allocation andmanagement (optionally including authentication), the selection andcontrol of the UP function, a traffic steering configuration for routingtraffic from the UPF to a proper destination, the termination of aninterface toward policy control functions, the execution of the controlpart of a policy and QoS, lawful interception (for an SM event and aninterface to an LI system), the termination of the SM part of an NASmessage, downlink data notification, the initiator of AN-specific SMinformation (transferred to an AN through N2 via the AMF), thedetermination of an SSC mode of a session, and a roaming function.

Some or all of the functions of the SMF may be supported within a singleinstance of one SMF.

-   -   UDM stores the subscription data of a user, policy data, etc.        UDM includes two parts, that is, an application front end (FE)        and user data repository (UDR).

The FE includes a UDM FE responsible for the processing of locationmanagement, subscription management and credential and a PCF responsiblefor policy control. The UDR stores data required for functions providedby the UDM-FE and a policy profile required by the PCF. Data storedwithin the UDR includes user subscription data, including a subscriptionID, security credential, access and mobility-related subscription dataand session-related subscription data, and policy data. The UDM-FEsupports functions, such as access to subscription information stored inthe UDR, authentication credential processing, user identificationhandling, access authentication, registration/mobility management,subscription management, and SMS management.

-   -   UPF transfers a downlink PDU, received from a DN, to a UE via an        (R)AN and transfers an uplink PDU, received from a UE, to a DN        via an (R)AN.

Specifically, the UPF supports functions, such as an anchor point forintra/inter RAT mobility, the external PDU session point ofinterconnection to a data network, packet routing and forwarding, a userplane part for the execution of packet inspection and a policy rule,lawful interception, a traffic usage report, an uplink classifier forsupporting the routing of traffic flow of a data network, a branchingpoint for supporting a multi-home PDU session, QoS handling (e.g., theexecution of packet filtering, gating and an uplink/downlink rate) for auser plane, uplink traffic verification (SDF mapping between a servicedata flow (SDF) and a QoS flow), transport level packet marking withinthe uplink and downlink, downlink packet buffering, and a downlink datanotification triggering function. Some or all of the functions of theUPF may be supported within a single instance of one UPF.

-   -   AF interoperates with a 3GPP core network in order to provide        services (e.g., support functions, such as an application        influence on traffic routing, network capability exposure        access, an interaction with a policy framework for policy        control).    -   (R)AN collectively refers to a new radio access network        supporting all of evolved E-UTRA (E-UTRA) and new radio (NR)        access technologies (e.g., gNB), that is, an advanced version of        the 4G radio access technology.

In 5G system, the network node in charge of transmission/reception ofwireless signals with the UE is the gNB, and plays the same role as theeNB.

The gNB supports functions for radio resource management (i.e., radiobearer control and radio admission control), connection mobilitycontrol, the dynamic allocation (i.e., scheduling) of resources to a UEin the uplink/downlink, Internet protocol (IP) header compression, theencryption and integrity protection of a user data stream, the selectionof an AMF upon attachment of a UE if routing to the AMF has not beendetermined based on information provided to the UE, the selection of anAMF upon attachment of a UE, user plane data routing to an UPF(s),control plane information routing to an AMF, connection setup andrelease, the scheduling and transmission of a paging message (generatedfrom an AMF), the scheduling and transmission of system broadcastinformation (generated from an AMF or operation and maintenance (O&M)),a measurement and measurement report configuration for mobility andscheduling, transport level packet marking in the uplink, sessionmanagement, the support of network slicing, QoS flow management andmapping to a data radio bearer, the support of a UE that is an inactivemode, the distribution function of an NAS message, an NAS node selectionfunction, radio access network sharing, dual connectivity, and tightinterworking between an NR and an E-UTRA.

-   -   UE means a user device. A user apparatus may be called a term,        such as a terminal, a mobile equipment (ME) or a mobile station        (MS). Furthermore, the user apparatus may be a portable device,        such as a notebook, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant        (PDA), a smartphone or a multimedia device, or may be a device        that cannot be carried, such as a personal computer (PC) or a        vehicle-mounted device.

In the drawings, for the clarity of description, an unstructured datastorage network function (UDSF), a structured data storage networkfunction (SDSF), a network exposure function (NEF) and an NF repositoryfunction (NRF) are not shown, but all of the NFs shown in this drawingmay perform mutual operations along with the UDSF, NEF and NRF, ifnecessary.

-   -   NEF provides means for safely exposing services and capabilities        provided by 3GPP network functions, for example, for a 3rd        party, internal exposure/re-exposure, an application function,        and edge computing. The NEF receives information from other        network function(s) (based on the exposed capability(s) of other        network function(s)). The NEF may store information received as        structured data using a standardized interface as a data storage        network function. The stored information is re-exposed to other        network function(s) and application function(s) by the NEF and        may be used for other purposes, such as analysis.    -   NRF supports a service discovery function. It receives an NF        discovery request from an NF instance and provides information        of a discovered NF instance to an NF instance. Furthermore, it        maintains available NF instances and services supported by the        available NF instances.    -   SDSF is an optional function for supporting a function of        storing and retrieving information as structured data by any        NEF.    -   UDSF is an optional function for supporting a function of        storing and retrieving information as unstructured data by any        NF.

In the 5G system, a node which is responsible for wirelesstransmission/reception with the UE is gNB and plays the same role as theeNB in the EPS. When the UE is simultaneously connected to the 3GPPconnection and the non-3GPP connection, the UE receives a servicethrough one AMF as illustrated in FIG. 9. In FIG. 9, it is illustratedthat a connection is made by the non-3GPP connection and a connection ismade by the 3GPP connection are connected to one same UPF, but theconnection is not particularly required and may be connected by aplurality of different UPFs.

However, when the UE selects N3IWK (also referred to as non-3GPPinterworking function (N3IWF)) in the HPLMN in the roaming scenario andis connected to the non-3GPP connection, the AMF that manages the 3GPPconnection may be located in the VPLMN and the AMF that manages thenon-3GPP connection may be located in the HPLMN.

The non-3GPP access network is connected to the 5G core network viaN3IWK/N3IWF. The N3IWK/N3IWF interfaces the 5G core network controlplane function and user plane function via the N2 and N3 interfaces,respectively.

A representative example of the non-3GPP connection mentioned in thepresent specification may be a WLAN connection.

Meanwhile, this drawing illustrates a reference model if a UE accessesone DN using one PDU session, for convenience of description, but thepresent invention is not limited thereto.

A UE may access two (i.e., local and central) data networks at the sametime using multiple PDU sessions. In this case, for different PDUsessions, two SMFs may be selected. In this case, each SMF may have theability to control both a local UPF and central UPF within a PDUsession, which can be independently activated per PDU.

Furthermore, a UE may access two (i.e., local and central) data networksprovided within one PDU session at the same time.

In the 3GPP system, a conceptual link that connects NFs within the 5Gsystem is defined as a reference point. The following illustratesreference points included in 5G system architecture represented in thisdrawing.

-   -   N1: a reference point between a UE and an AMF    -   N2: a reference point between an (R)AN and an AMF    -   N3: a reference point between an (R)AN and a UPF    -   N4: a reference point between an SMF and a UPF    -   N5: a reference point between a PCF and an AF    -   N6: a reference point between a UPF and a data network    -   N7: a reference point between an SMF and a PCF    -   N24: a reference point between a PCF within a visited network        and a PCF within a home network    -   N8: a reference point between a UDM and an AMF    -   N9: a reference point between two core UPFs    -   N10: a reference point between a UDM and an SMF    -   N11: a reference point between an AMF and an SMF    -   N12: a reference point between an AMF and an AUSF    -   N13: a reference point between a UDM and an authentication        server function (AUSF)    -   N14: a reference point between two AMFs    -   N15: a reference point between a PCF and an AMF in the case of a        non-roaming scenario and a reference point between a PCF within        a visited network and an AMF in the case of a roaming scenario    -   N16: a reference point between two SMFs (in the case of a        roaming scenario, a reference point between an SMF within a        visited network and an SMF within a home network)    -   N17: a reference point between an AMF and an EIR    -   N18: a reference point between any NF and an UDSF    -   N19: a reference point between an NEF and an SDSF

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating 5G system architecture using aservice-based representation.

A service-based interface illustrated in this drawing shows a set ofservices provided/exposed by a specific NF. The service-based interfaceis used within a control plane. The following illustrates service-basedinterfaces included in the 5G system architecture represented as in thisdrawing.

-   -   Namf: a service-based interface exhibited by an AMF    -   Nsmf: a service-based interface exhibited by an SMF    -   Nnef: a service-based interface exhibited by an NEF    -   Npcf: a service-based interface exhibited by a PCF    -   Nudm: a service-based interface exhibited by a UDM    -   Naf: a service-based interface exhibited by an AF    -   Nnrf: a service-based interface exhibited by an NRF    -   Nausf: a service-based interface exhibited by an AUSF

NF service is a kind of capability exposed to another NF (i.e., NFservice consumer) by an NF (i.e., NF service supplier) through aservice-based interface. The NF may expose one or more NF service(s). Inorder to define NF service, the following criteria are applied:

-   -   NF services are derived from an information flow for describing        an end-to-end function.    -   A complete end-to-end message flow is described by the sequence        of NF service invocation.    -   Two operations for NF(s) to provide their services through        service-based interfaces are as follows:

i) “Request-response”: a control plane NF_B (i.e., NF service supplier)receives a request to provide a specific NF service (including theexecution of an operation and/or the provision of information) fromanother control plane NF_A (i.e., NF service consumer). NF_B sends NFservice results based on information provided by NF_A within a requestas a response.

In order to satisfy a request, NF_B may alternately consume NF servicesfrom other NF(s). In the request-response mechanism, communication isperformed in a one-to-one manner between two NFs (i.e., consumer andsupplier).

ii) “subscribe-notify”

A control plane NF_A (i.e., NF service consumer) subscribes to an NFservice provided by another control plane NF_B (i.e., NF servicesupplier). A plurality of control plane NF(s) may subscribe to the samecontrol plane NF service. NF_B notifies interested NF(s) that havesubscribed to NF services of the results of the NF services. Asubscription request from a consumer may include a notification requestfor notification triggered through periodical update or a specific event(e.g., the change, specific threshold arrival, etc. of requestedinformation). The mechanism also includes a case where NF(s) (e.g.,NF_B) implicitly subscribe to specific notification without an explicitsubscription request (e.g., due to a successful registration procedure).

FIG. 11 illustrates NG-RAN architecture to which the present inventionmay be applied.

Referring to FIG. 11, a new generation radio access network (NG-RAN)includes an NR NodeB (gNB)(s) and/or an eNodeB (eNB)(s) for providingthe termination of a user plane and control plane protocol toward a UE.

An Xn interface is connected between gNBs and between a gNB(s) and aneNB(s) connected to 5GC. The gNB(s) and the eNB(s) are also connected to5GC using an NG interface. More specifically, the gNB(s) and eNB(s) arealso connected to an AMF using an NG-C interface (i.e., N2 referencepoint), that is, a control plane interface between an NG-RAN and 5GC andare connected to a UPF using an NG-U interface (i.e., N3 referencepoint), that is, a user plane interface between an NG-RAN and 5GC.

Radio Protocol Architecture

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a radio protocol stack to which thepresent invention may be applied. Specifically, FIG. 12(a) illustrates aradio interface user plane protocol stack between a UE and a gNB, andFIG. 12(b) illustrates a radio interface control plane protocol stackbetween the UE and the gNB.

A control plane means a passage through which control messages aretransmitted in order for a UE and a network to manage a call. A userplane means a passage through which data generated in an applicationlayer, for example, voice data or Internet packet data is transmitted.

Referring to FIG. 12(a), the user plane protocol stack may be dividedinto a first layer (Layer 1) (i.e., a physical layer (PHY) layer) and asecond layer (Layer 2).

Referring to FIG. 12(b), the control plane protocol stack may be dividedinto a first layer (i.e., a PHY layer), a second layer, a third layer(i.e., a radio resource control (RRC) layer) and a non-access stratum(NAS) layer.

The second layer is divided into a medium access control (MAC) sublayer,a radio link control (RLC) sublayer, a packet data convergence protocol(PDC) sublayer, and a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) sublayer(in the case of a user plane).

Radio bearers are classified into two groups: a data radio bearer (DRB)for user plane data and a signaling radio bearer (SRB) for control planedata

Hereinafter, the layers of the control plane and user plane of the radioprotocol are described.

1) The PHY layer, that is, the first layer, provides informationtransfer service to a higher layer using a physical channel. The PHYlayer is connected to the MAC sublayer located in a high level through atransport channel. Data is transmitted between the MAC sublayer and thePHY layer through a transport channel. The transport channel isclassified depending on how data is transmitted according to whichcharacteristics through a radio interface. Furthermore, data istransmitted between different physical layers, that is, between the PHYlayer of a transmission stage and the PHY layer of a reception stagethrough a physical channel.

2) The MAC sublayer performs mapping between a logical channel and atransport channel; the multiplexing/demultiplexing of an MAC servicedata unit (SDU) belonging to one logical channel or different logicalchannels to/from a transport block (TB) transferred to/from the PHYlayer through a transport channel; a scheduling information report;error correction through a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARM);priority handling between UEs using dynamic scheduling; priorityhandling between the logical channels of one UE using logical channelpriority; and padding.

Different types of data transfer service provided by the MAC sublayer.Each logical channel type defines that information of which type istransferred.

Logical channels are classified into two groups: a control channel and atraffic channel.

i) The control channel is used to transfer only control planeinformation and is as follows.

-   -   Broadcast control channel (BCCH): a downlink channel system for        broadcasting control information.    -   Paging control channel (PCCH): a downlink channel transferring        paging information and system information change notification.    -   Common control channel (CCCH): a channel for transmitting        control information between a UE and a network. This channel is        used for UEs not having an RRC connection with a network.    -   Dedicated control channel (DCCH): a point-to-point bidirectional        channel for transmitting dedicated control information between a        UE and a network. It is used by a UE having an RRC connection.

ii) The traffic channel is used to use only user plane information:

-   -   Dedicated traffic channel (DTCH): a point-to-point channel for        transferring user information and dedicated to a single UE. The        DTCH may be present in both the uplink and downlink.

In the downlink, a connection between a logical channel and a transportchannel is as follows.

A BCCH may be mapped to a BCH. A BCCH may be mapped to a DL-SCH. A PCCHmay be mapped to a PCH. A CCCH may be mapped to a DL-SCH. A DCCH may bemapped to a DL-SCH. A DTCH may be mapped to a DL-SCH.

In the uplink, a connection between a logical channel and a transportchannel is as follows. A CCCH may be mapped to an UL-SCH. A DCCH may bemapped to an UL-SCH. A DTCH may be mapped to an UL-SCH.

3) The RLC sublayer supports three transport modes: a transparent mode(TM), an unacknowledged mode (UM) and acknowledged mode (AM).

An RLC configuration may be applied to each logical channel. In the caseof an SRB, the TM or AM mode is used. In contrast, in the case of a DRB,the UM or AM mode is used.

The RLC sublayer performs the transfer a higher layer PDU; independentsequence numbering with a PDCP; error correction through an automaticrepeat request (ARW); segmentation and re-segmentation; the reassemblyof an SDU; RLC SDU discard; and RLC re-establishment.

4) The PDCP sublayer for a user plane performs sequence numbering;header compression and compression-decompression (corresponding to onlyrobust header compression (RoHC)); user data transfer; reordering andduplicate detection (if there is transfer to a layer higher than thePDCP); PDCP PDU routing (in the case of a split bearer); theretransmission of a PDCP SDU; ciphering and deciphering; PDCP SDUdiscard; PDCP re-establishment and data recovery for RLC AM; and theduplication of a PDCP PDU.

The PDCP sublayer a control plane additionally performs sequencenumbering; ciphering, deciphering and integrity protection; controlplane data transfer; duplication detection; the duplication of a PDCPPDU.

When duplication for a radio bearer is configured by RRC, an additionalRLC entity and an additional logical channel are added to a radio bearerin order to control a duplicated PDCP PDU(s). In the PDCP, duplicationincludes transmitting the same PDCP PDU(s) twice. The first one istransferred to the original RLC entity, and the second one istransferred to an additional RLC entity. In this case, the duplicationcorresponding to the original PDCP PDU is not transmitted to the sametransport block. Different two logical channels may belong to the sameMAC entity (in the case of a CA) or to different MAC entities (in thecase of DC). In the former case, a logical channel mapping restrictionis used to guarantee that a duplication corresponding to the originalPDCP PDU is not transferred to the same transport block.

5) The SDAP sublayer performs i) mapping between a QoS flow and a dataradio bearer and ii) QoS flow ID marking within a downlink and uplinkpacket.

One protocol entity of an SDAP is configured for each PDU session, butexceptionally in the case of dual connectivity (DC), two SDAP entitiesmay be configured.

6) The RRC sublayer performs the broadcasting of system informationrelated to an access stratum (AS) and a non-access stratum (NAS); paginginitiated by 5GC or an NG-RAN; the establishment, maintenance andrelease (additionally including the modification and release of acarrier aggregation and additionally including the modification andrelease of dual connectivity between an E-UTRAN and an NR or within anNR) of an RRC connection between a UE and an NG-RAN; a security functionincluding key management; the establishment, configuration, maintenanceand release of an SRB(s) and a DRB(s); handover and context transfer;control of UE cell selection, re-release and cell selection/reselection;a mobility function including mobility between RATs; a QoS managementfunction, a UE measurement report and report control; the detection of aradio link failure and recovery from a radio link failure; and thetransfer of an NAS message from an NAS to a UE and the transfer of anNAS message from a UE to an NAS.

Network Slicing

A 5G system has introduced a network slicing technology which providesnetwork resources and network functions to an independent slice based oneach service.

As network slicing is introduced, the isolation, independent management,etc. of a network function and network resources can be provided foreach slice. Accordingly, services that are independent for each serviceor user and that are more flexible can be provided by selecting andcombining network functions of the 5G system depending on a service oruser.

A network slice refers to a network that logically integrates an accessnetwork and a core network.

The network slice may include one or more of the followings:

-   -   Core network control plane and user plane function    -   NG-RAN    -   Non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF) toward a non-3GPP access        network

A function supported for each network slice and network functionoptimization may be different. A plurality of network slice instancesmay provide the same function to different groups of UEs.

One UE may be connected to one or more network slice instances at thesame time via a 5G-AN. One UE may be served at the same time by amaximum of 8 network slices. An AMF instance that serves a UE may belongto each network slice instance that serves the UE. That is, the AMFinstance may be common to a network slice instance that serves the UE.The CN part of a network slice instance(s) that serves a UE is selectedby a CN.

One PDU session belongs to only a specific one network slice instancefor each PLMN. Different network slice instances do not share one PDUsession.

One PDU session belongs to a specific one network slice instance foreach PLMN. Different slices may have slice-specific PDU sessions usingthe same DNN, but different network slice instances do not share one PDUsession.

Single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI)identifies a network slice. Each S-NSSAI is assistant information usedfor a network to select a specific network slice instance. The NSSAI isa set of S-NSSAI(s). The S-NSSAI includes the followings:

-   -   Slice/service type (SST): the SST indicates the operation of a        network slice expected form a viewpoint of a function and        service.    -   Slice differentiator (SD): the SD is optional information that        supplements an SST(s) for selecting a network slice instance        from a plurality of potential network slice instances all of        which comply with an indicated SST.

1) Upon Initial Access, Network Slice Selection

A Configured NSSAI may be configured in a UE by a home PLMN (HPLMN) foreach PLMN. The Configured NSSAI becomes PLMN-specific, and the HPLMNindicates a PLMN(s) to which each Configured NSSAI has been applied.

Upon initial connection of a UE, an RAN selects an initial network slicethat will transfer a message using an NSSAI. To this end, in aregistration procedure, a UE provides a requested NSSAI to a network. Inthis case, when the UE provides the requested NSSAI to the network, a UEwithin a specific PLMN uses only S-NSSAIs belonging to the ConfiguredNSSAI of the corresponding PLMN.

If a UE does not provide an NSSAI to an RAN and an RAN does not select aproper network slice based on the provided NSSAI, the RAN may select adefault network slice.

Subscription data includes the S-NSSAI(s) of a network slice(s) to whicha UE has subscribed. One or more S-NSSAI(s) may be marked as a defaultS-NSSAI. When an S-NSSAI is marked by default, although a UE does nottransmit any S-NSSAI to a network within a Registration Request, thenetwork may serve the UE through a related network slice.

When a UE is successfully registered, a CN notifies an (R)AN of all ofAllowed NSSAIs (including one or more S-NSSAIs) by providing the NSSAIs.Furthermore, when the registration procedure of the UE is successfullycompleted, the UE may obtain an Allowed NSSAI for a PLMN from an AMF.

The Allowed NSSAI has precedence over the Configured NSSAI for the PLMN.

Thereafter, the UE uses only an S-NSSAI(s) within the Allowed NSSAIcorresponding to a network slice for a network slice selection-relatedprocedure within the serving PLMN.

In each PLMN, a UE stores a Configured NSSAI and an Allowed NSSAI (ifpresent). When the UE receives an Allowed NSSAI for a PLMN, it overridesthe previously stored Allowed NSSAI for the PLMN.

2) Slice Change

A network may change an already selected network slice instancedepending on a local policy and the mobility, subscription informationchange, etc. of a UE. That is, a set of network slices of a UE may bechanged at any time while the UE is registered with a network.Furthermore, a change of a set of network slices of a UE may beinitiated by a network or under specific conditions.

A network may change a set of allowed network slice(s) with which a UEhas been registered based on a local policy, a subscription informationchange and/or the mobility of the UE. A network may perform such achange during a registration procedure or may notify a UE of a change ofa supported network slice(s) using a procedure capable of triggering aregistration procedure.

Upon changing the network slice, the network may provide the UE with anew Allowed NSSAI and a tracking area list. The UE includes the newNSSAI in signaling according to a mobility management procedure andtransmits the signaling, thereby causing the reselection of a sliceinstance. An AMF supporting the slice instance may also be changed inresponse to a change of the slice instance.

When a UE enters an area in which a network slice is no longeravailable, a core network releases a PDU session for an S-NSSAIcorresponding to a network slice that is no longer available through aPDU session release procedure.

When the PDU session corresponding to the slice that is no longeravailable is released, the UE determines whether the existing trafficcan be routed through a PDU session belonging to another slice using aUE policy.

For a change of a set of used S-NSSAI(s), a UE initiates a registrationprocedure.

3) SMF Selection

A PCF provides a UE with a network slice selection policy (NSSP). TheNSSP associates the UE with an S-NSSAI and is used by the UE in order todetermine a PDU session to which traffic will be routed.

A network slice selection policy is provided for each application of aUE. This includes a rule by which an S-NSSAI can be mapped for each UEapplication. The AMF selects an SMF for PDU session management usingsubscriber information and a local operator policy along with anSM-NSSAI transferred by a UE and DNN information.

When a PDU session for a specific slice instance is established, a CNprovides an (R)AN with an S-NSSAI corresponding to the slice instance towhich the PDU session belongs so that an RAN can access a specificfunction of a slice instance.

Session Management

5GC supports a PDU connectivity service, that is, a service thatprovides the exchange of PDU(s) between a UE and a DN identified by adata network name (DNN) (or an access point name (APN)). The PDUconnectivity service is also supported through a PDU session establishedupon request from the UE.

Each PDU session supports a single PDU session type. That is, when thePDU session is established, it supports the exchange of PDUs of a singletype requested by a UE. The following PDU session types are defined. IPversion 4 (IPv4), IP version 6 (IPv6), Ethernet, and unstructured. Inthis case, the type of PDUs exchanged between a UE and a DN arecompletely transparent in a 5G system.

A PDU session is established using NAS SM signaling exchanged between aUE and an SMF through N1 (upon UE request), modified (upon UE and 5GCrequest), and released (upon UE and 5GC request). Upon request from anapplication server, 5GC may trigger a specific application within a UE.When the UE receives a trigger message, it transfers the correspondingmessage to an identified application. The identified application mayestablish a PDU session with a specific DNN.

An SMF checks whether a UE request complies with user subscriptioninformation. To this end, the SMF obtains SMF level subscription datafrom UDM. Such data may indicate an accepted PDU session type for eachDNN:

A UE registered through a plurality of accesses selects access forsetting up a PDU session.

A UE may request to move a PDU session between 3GPP and non-3GPP access.A determination for moving the PDU session between 3GPP and non-3GPPaccess is made for each PDU session. That is, the UE may have a PDUsession using 3GPP access while another PDU session uses non-3GPPaccess.

Within a PDU session setup request transmitted by a network, a UEprovides a PDU session identity (ID). Furthermore, the UE may provide aPDU session type, slicing information, a DNN, service and a sessioncontinuity (SSC) mode.

A UE may establish a plurality of PDU sessions with the same DN ordifferent DNs at the same time via 3GPP access and/or via non-3GPPaccess.

A UE may establish a plurality of PDU sessions with the same DN servedby a different UPF end N6.

A UE having a plurality of established PDU sessions may be served bydifferent SMFs.

The user plane path of a different PDU sessions belonging to the same UE(the same or different DNNs) may be fully separated between an UPF andAN interfacing with a DN.

5G system architecture can satisfy various continuity requirements ofdifferent application/services within a UE by supporting a session andservice continuity (SCC). A 5G system supports different SSC modes. AnSSC mode associated with a PDU session anchor is not changed while a PDUsession is established.

-   -   In the case of a PDU session to which SSC Mode 1 is applied, a        network maintains continuity service provided to a UE. In the        case of a PDU session of an IP type, an IP address is        maintained.    -   If SSC Mode 2 is used, a network may release continuity service        delivered to a UE. Furthermore, the network may release a        corresponding PDU session. In the case of a PDU session of an IP        type, a network may release an IP address(s) allocated to a UE.    -   If SSC Mode 3 is used, a change of a user plane can be aware by        a UE, but a network guarantees that the UE does not lose        connectivity. In order to permit better service continuity, a        connection through a new PDU session anchor point is established        before a previous connection is terminated. In the case of a PDU        session of an IP type, an IP address is not maintained while an        anchor is deployed again.

An SSC mode selection policy is used to determine the type of SSC modeassociated with an application (or application group) of a UE. Anoperator may previously configure an SSC mode selection policy in a UE.The policy includes one or more SSC mode selection policy rules whichmay be used for a UE to determine the type of SSC mode associated withan application (or a group of applications). Furthermore, the policy mayinclude a default SSC mode selection policy rule which may be applied toall of applications of a UE.

If a UE provides an SSC mode when it requests a new PDU session, an SMFselects whether it will accept the requested SSC mode or whether it willmodify the requested SSC mode based on subscription information and/or alocal configuration. If a UE does not provide an SSC mode when itrequests a new PDU session, an SMF selects a default SSC mode for datanetworks listed within subscription information or applies a localconfiguration for selecting an SSC mode.

An SMF notifies a UE of an SSC mode selected for a PDU session.

Mobility Management

Registration management (RM) is used to register or deregister a UE/userwith/from a network and to establish user context within a network.

1) Registration Management

A UE/user needs to register a network in order to receive service thatrequests registration. Once the UE/user is registered, the UE may updateits own registration with the network in order to periodically maintainreachability (periodical registration update) if applicable, upon moving(mobility registration update), or in order to update its own capabilityor negotiate a protocol parameter again.

An initial registration procedure includes the execution of a networkaccess control function (i.e., user authentication and accessauthentication based on a subscription profile within UDM). As theresults of the registration procedure, the ID of a serving AMF withinthe UDM is registered.

FIG. 13 illustrates RM state models to which the present invention maybe applied. Specifically, FIG. 13(a) shows an RM state model within aUE, and FIG. 13(b) shows an RM state model within an AMF.

Referring to FIG. 13, in order to reflect the registration state of a UEwithin a selected PLMN, two RM states of RM-DEREGISTERED andRM-REGISTERED are used within the UE and the AMF.

In the RM-DEREGISTERED state, the UE is not registered with a network.The valid location or routing information of UE context within the AMFis not maintained. Accordingly, the UE is not reachable by the AMF.However, for example, in order to prevent an authentication procedurefrom being executed for each registration procedure, some UE context maybe still stored in the UE and the AMF.

-   -   In the RM-DEREGISTERED state, if the UE needs to receive service        that requests registration, the UE attempts registration with a        selected PLMN using the initial registration procedure.        Alternatively, upon initial registration, when the UE receives a        Registration Reject, the UE remains in the RM-DEREGISTERED        state. In contrast, when the UE receives the Registration        Accept, it enters the RM-REGISTERED state.    -   In the RM-DEREGISTERED state, if applicable, the AMF accepts the        initial registration of the UE by transmitting a Registration        Accept to the UE, and enters the RM-REGISTERED state.        Alternatively, if applicable, the AMF rejects the initial        registration of the UE by transmitting a Registration Reject to        the UE.

In the RM-REGISTERED state, the UE is registered with the network. Inthe RM-REGISTERED state, the UE may receive service that requestsregistration with the network.

-   -   In the RM-REGISTERED state, if the tracking area identity (TAI)        of a current serving cell is not present within a list of TAIs        that has been received by the UE from a network, the        registration of the UE is maintained. The UE performs a mobility        registration update procedure so that the AMF can page the UE.        Alternatively, in order to notify a network that the UE is still        in the active state, the UE performs a periodic registration        update procedure when a periodical update timer expires.        Alternatively, in order to update its own capability information        or negotiate a protocol parameter with a network again, the UE        performs a registration update procedure. Alternatively, if the        UE does no longer require registration with a PLMN, the UE        performs a deregistration procedure and enters the        RM-DEREGISTERED state. The UE may determine deregistration from        the network at any time. Alternatively, when the UE receives a        Registration Reject message, a Deregistration message or        performs a local deregistration procedure without the initiation        of any signaling, it enters the RM-DEREGISTERED state.    -   In the RM-REGISTERED state, when the UE does no longer need to        be registered with the PLMN, the AMF performs a deregistration        procedure and enters the RM-DEREGISTERED state. The AMF may        determine the deregistration of the UE at any time.        Alternatively, after an implicit deregistration timer expires,        the AMF performs implicit deregistration at any time. The AMF        enters the RM-DEREGISTERED state after the implicit        deregistration. Alternatively, the AMF performs local        deregistration for the UE that has negotiated deregistration at        the end of communication. The AMF enters the RM-DEREGISTERED        state after local deregistration. Alternatively, if applicable,        the AMF accepts or rejects registration update from the UE. The        AMF may reject UE registration when it rejects the registration        update from the UE.

Registration area management includes a function for allocating orre-allocating a registration area to the UE. The registration area ismanaged for each access type (i.e., 3GPP access or non-3GPP access).

When the UE is registered with a network through 3GPP access, the AMFallocates a set of tracking area (TA)(s) within a TAI list to the UE.When the AMF allocates a registration area (i.e., a set of TAs withinthe TAI list), the AMF may consider various types of information (e.g.,a mobility pattern and an accepted/non-accepted area). The AMP havingthe whole PLMN or all of PLMNs as a serving area may allocate the wholePLMN, that is, a registration area, to the UE in the MICO mode.

A 5G system supports the allocation of a TAI list including different5G-RAT(s) within a single TAI list.

When the UE is registered with a network through non-3GPP access, aregistration area for the non-3GPP access corresponds to a uniquereserved TAI value (i.e., dedicated to the non-3GPP access).Accordingly, there is a unique TA for the non-3GPP access to 5GC, whichis called an N3GPP TAI.

When the TAI list is generated, the AMF includes only a TAI(s)applicable to access through which the TAI list has been transmitted.

2) Connection Management

Connection management (CM) is used to establish and release a signalingconnection between the UE and the AMF. CM includes a function ofestablishing and releasing a signaling connection between the UE and theAMF through N1. The signaling connection is used to enable an NASsignaling exchange between the UE and a core network. The signalingconnection includes both an AN signaling connection for the UE betweenthe UE and the AN and an N2 connection for the UE between the AN and theAMF.

FIG. 14 illustrates CM state models to which the present invention maybe applied. Specifically, FIG. 14 (a) illustrates a CM state shiftwithin a UE, and FIG. 14 (b) shows a CM state shift within an AMF.

Referring to FIG. 14, in order to reflect the NAS signaling connectionof the UE with the AMF, two CM states of CM-IDLE and CM-CONNECTED areused.

The UE in the CM-IDLE state is the RM-REGISTERED state and does not havean NAS signaling connection established with the AMF through N1. The UEperforms cell selection, cell reselection and PLMN selection.

An AN signaling connection, an N2 connection and an N3 connection forthe UE in the CM-IDLE state are not present.

-   -   In the CM-IDLE state, if the UE is not in the MICO mode, it        responds to paging by performing a Service Request procedure (if        it has received it). Alternatively, when the UE has uplink        signaling or user data to be transmitted, it performs a Service        Request procedure. Alternatively, whenever an AN signaling        connection is established between the UE and the AN, the UE        enters the CM-CONNECTED state. Alternatively, the transmission        of an initial NAS message (Registration Request, Service Request        or Deregistration Request) starts to shift from the CM-IDLE        state to the CM-CONNECTED state.    -   In the CM-IDLE state, if the UE is not in the MICO mode, when        the AMF has signaling or the mobile-terminated data to be        transmitted to the UE, it performs a network-triggered service        request procedure by transmitting a paging request to the        corresponding UE. Whenever an N2 connection for a corresponding        UE between the AN and the AMF is established, the AMF enters the        CM-CONNECTED state.

The UE in the CM-CONNECTED state has an NAS signaling connection withthe AMF through N1.

In the CM-CONNECTED state, whenever the AN signaling connection isreleased, the UE enters the CM-IDLE state.

-   -   In the CM-CONNECTED state, whenever an N2 signaling connection        and N3 connection for the UE are released, the AMF enters the        CM-IDLE state.    -   When an NAS signaling procedure is completed, the AMF may        determine to release the NAS signaling connection of the UE.        When the AN signaling connection release is completed, the CM        state within the UE changes to the CM-IDLE. When an N2 context        release procedure is completed, the CM state for the UE within        the AMF changes to the CM-IDLE.

The AMF may maintain the UE in the CM-CONNECTED state until the UE isderegistered from a core network.

The UE in the CM-CONNECTED state may be an RRC Inactive state. When theUE is in the RRC Inactive state, UE reachability is managed by an RANusing assistant information from a core network. Furthermore, when theUE is in the RRC Inactive state, UE paging is managed by the RAN.Furthermore, when the UE is in the RRC Inactive state, the UE monitorspaging using the CN and RAN ID of the UE.

The RRC Inactive state is applied to an NG-RAN (i.e., applied to an NRand E-UTRA connected to 5G CN).

The AMF provides assistant information to the NG-RAN in order to assistthe determination of the NG-RAN regarding whether the UE will be changedto the RRC Inactive state based on a network configuration.

The RRC Inactive assistant information includes a UE-specificdiscontinuous reception (DRX) value for RAN paging during the RRCInactive state and a registration area provided to the UE.

CN assistant information is provided to a serving NG RAN node during N2activation (i.e., registration, a service request or path switch).

The state of an N2 and the N3 reference point is not changed by the UEthat enters the CM-CONNECTED state accompanied by RRC Inactive. The UEin the RRC Inactive state is aware of an RAN notification area.

When the UE is the CM-CONNECTED state accompanied by RRC Inactive, theUE may resume an RRC connection due to uplink data pending, amobile-initiated signaling procedure (i.e., periodical registrationupdate), a response to RAN paging, or when the UE notifies a networkthat it has deviated from the RAN notification area.

When the connection of the UE in a different NG-RAN node within the samePLMN resumes, UE AS context is recovered from an old NG RAN node, andthe procedure is triggered toward a CN.

When the UE is in the CM-CONNECTED state accompanied by RRC Inactive,the UE performs cell selection on a GERAN/UTRAN/EPS and complies with anidle mode procedure.

Furthermore, the UE in the CM-CONNECTED state accompanied by RRCInactive enters the CM-IDLE mode and complies with an NAS procedurerelated to the following cases.

-   -   If an RRC resumption procedure fails,    -   If a movement to the CM-IDLE mode of the UE is required within a        failure scenario that cannot be solved in the RRC Inactive mode.

The NAS signaling connection management includes a function forestablishing and releasing an NAS signaling connection.

The NAS signaling connection establishment function is provided by theUE and the AMF in order to establish the NAS signaling connection of theUE in the CM-IDLE state.

When the UE in the CM-IDLE state needs to transmit an NAS message, theUE initiates a service request or registration procedure in order toestablish a signaling connection to the AMF.

The AMF may maintain the NAS signaling connection until the UE isderegistered from a network based on the preference of the UE, UEsubscription information, a UE mobility pattern and a networkconfiguration.

The procedure of releasing the NAS signaling connection is initiated bya 5G (R)AN node or the AMF.

When the UE detects the release of an AN signaling connection, the UEdetermines that the NAS signaling connection has been released. When theAMF detects that N2 context has been released, the AMF determines thatthe NAS signaling connection has been released.

3) UE Mobility Restriction

A mobility restriction restricts the service access or mobility controlof a UE within a 5G system. A mobility restriction function is providedby a UE, an RAN and a core network.

The mobility restriction is applied to only 3GPP access, but is notapplied to non-3GPP access.

In the CM-IDLE state and the CM-CONNECTED state accompanied by RRCInactive, a mobility restriction is performed by a UE based oninformation received from a core network. In the CM-CONNECTED state, amobility restriction is performed by an RAN and a core network.

In the CM-CONNECTED state, a core network provides a handoverrestriction list for a mobility restriction to an RAN.

The mobility restriction includes an RAT restriction, a forbidden areaand a service area restriction as follows:

-   -   RAT restriction: the RAT restriction is defined as a 3GPP RAT(s)        whose access of a UE is not permitted. A UE within a restricted        RAT is not allowed to initiate any communication with a network        based on subscription information.    -   Forbidden area: a UE is not allowed to initiate any        communication with a network based on subscription information        within a forbidden area under a specific RAT.    -   Service area restriction: it defines an area in which a UE can        initiate cannot initiate communication with a network as        follows:    -   Allowed area: if a UE is allowed by subscription information        within an allowed area under a specific RAT, the UE is allowed        to initiate communication with a network.    -   Non-allowed area: a service area for a UE is restricted based on        subscription information within a non-allowed area under a        specific RAT. The UE and the network are not allowed to initiate        session management signaling for obtaining a service request or        user service (both the CM-IDLE state and the CM-CONNECTED        state). The RM procedure of the UE is the same as that in the        allowed area. A UE within a non-allowed area responds to the        paging of a core network as a service request.

In a specific UE, a core network determines a service area restrictionbased on UE subscription information. Optionally, an allowed area may befine-tuned by a PCF (e.g., based on a UE location, a permanent equipmentidentifier (PEI) or a network policy). The service area restriction maybe changed due to subscription information, a location, a PEI and/or apolicy change, for example. The service area restriction may be updatedduring a registration procedure.

If a UE has an RAT restriction, a forbidden area, an allowed area, anon-allowed area or an area overlapping between them, the UE performs anoperation according to the following priority:

-   -   The evaluation of the RAT restriction has precedence over the        evaluation of any other mobility restriction;    -   The evaluation of the forbidden area has precedence over the        evaluation of the allowed area and the non-allowed area; and    -   The evaluation of the non-allowed area has precedence over the        evaluation of the allowed area.

4) Mobile Initiated Connection Only (MICO) Mode

A UE may indicate the preference of the MICO mode during initialregistration or registration update. The AMF determines whether the MICOmode is permitted for the UE based on a local configuration, thepreference indicated by the UE, UE subscription information and anetwork policy or a combination of them, and notifies the UE of theresults during a registration procedure.

A UE and a core network re-initiates or exits from the MICO mode in thefollowing registration signaling. If the MICO mode is not clearlyindicated within a registration procedure and a registration procedureis successfully completed, the UE and the AMF do not use the MICO mode.That is, the UE operates as a general UE, and the network also treats acorresponding UE as a general UE.

The AMF allocates a registration area to a UE during a registrationprocedure. When the AMF indicates the MICO mode for the UE, theregistration area is not restricted as a paging area size. If the AMFserving area is the whole PLMN, the AMF may provide the UE with the“whole PLMN” registration area. In this case, re-registration with thesame PLMN attributable to mobility is not applied. If a mobilityrestriction is applied to a UE in the MICO mode, the AMF allocates anallowed area/non-allowed area to the UE.

When the AMF indicates the MICO mode for the UE, the AMF considers thatthe UE is always unreachable during the CM-IDLE state. The AMF rejectsany request for downlink data transfer for a corresponding UE that is inthe MICO mode and the CM-IDLE state. The AMF also delays downlinktransport, such as SMS or location service through the NAS. A UE in theMICO mode may be reachable for mobile-terminated data or signaling onlywhen the UE is in the CM-CONNECTED mode.

The AMF may provide an RAN node with pending data indication when a UEin the MICO mode can immediately transport mobile-terminated data and/orsignaling when the UE switches to the CM-CONNECTED mode. When the RANnode receives the indication, the RAN node considers the informationwhen it determines user inactivity.

A UE in the MICO mode does not need to listen to paging during theCM-IDLE state. The UE in the MICO mode may stop any AS procedure withinthe CM-IDLE state until it starts switching from the CM-IDLE to theCM-CONNECTED mode due to one of the following reasons.

-   -   If a change (e.g., configuration change) within the UE requires        registration update to a network    -   If a periodic registration timer expires    -   If MO data is pending    -   If MO(Mobile Originating) signaling is pending

Service Request Procedure

Hereinafter, a UE triggered service request procedure in CM-IDLE stateis described.

The Service Request procedure is used by a 5G UE in CM-IDLE state torequest the establishment of a secure connection to an AMF. The UE inCM-IDLE state initiates the Service Request procedure in order totransmit uplink signalling messages, user data, or response to a networkpaging request. After receiving the Service Request message, the AMF mayperform authentication, and the AMF needs to perform the securityprocedure. After the establishment of a secure signalling connection toan AMF, the UE or network may transmit signalling messages, for example,PDU session establishment from UE to the network, or the SMF, via theAMF, may start the User Plane resource establishment for the PDUsessions requested by network and/or indicated in the Service Requestmessage.

For an arbitrary Service Request, the AMF may respond with a ServiceResponse message to synchronize PDU session status between a UE and anetwork. The AMF may also respond with a Service Reject message to theUE, in the case that the Service Request is unable to be accepted by thenetwork.

For Service Request due to user data, a network may take further actionsin the case that User Plane resource establishment is not successful.

This procedure may not applicable for an access network (once the UE isregistered in the network) in which the UE is always considered as inCM-CONNECTED state and in which the User Plane resource is alwaysconsidered established for an active PDU session.

FIG. 15 illustrates a UE triggered Service Request procedure in CM-IDLEstate which is applicable to the present invention.

1. UE to (R)AN: MM NAS Service Request (PDU session ID(s), securityparameters, PDU session status).

The UE transmits NAS message Service Request towards the AMFencapsulated in an RRC message to the RAN. The RRC message(s) that maybe used to carry the 5G Temporary ID and this NAS message are describedin RAN specifications.

When the Service Request is triggered for user data, the UE includes thePDU session ID(s) in NAS Service Request message to indicate the PDUsession(s) that the UE needs to use. When the Service Request istriggered for signalling only, the UE doesn't include any PDU sessionID. When this procedure is triggered for paging response, in the casethat the UE needs to use some PDU session(s), the UE includes the PDUsession ID(s) in MM NAS Service Request message to indicate the PDUsession(s) that the UE needs to use. Otherwise the UE will not includeany PDU session ID.

The PDU session status indicates the PDU sessions available in the UE.

2. (R)AN to AMF: N2 Message (MM NAS Service Request, 5G Temporary ID,Location information, RAT type, RRC establishment cause). Details ofthis step are described in RAN specifications. In the case that the AMFis unable to handle the Service Request, the AMF rejects the ServiceRequest.

5G Temporary ID is obtained in RRC procedure. RAN selects the AMFaccording to Temporary ID. The Location Information and RAT type relatesto the cell in which the UE is camping.

Based on the PDU session status, the AMF may initiate PDU sessionrelease procedure in the case that the PDU session is not available inthe UE.

3. When the Service Request was not sent integrity protected orintegrity protection is indicated as failed, the AMF needs to initiateNAS authentication/security procedure.

In the case that the UE triggered the Service Request to establish asignalling connection only, after the security exchange the UE and thenetwork can transmit signaling and steps 4 and 7 to 12 are skipped.

4. [Conditional] AMF to SMF: N11 Message (PDU session ID(s), Cause(s),UE location information).

The N11 message is sent in one or more of the following scenarios:

-   -   In the case that the MM NAS Service Request message includes PDU        session ID(s), or this procedure is triggered by SMF but PDU        session IDs from UE correlates to other SMFs than the one        triggering the procedure, the AMF transmits N11 message to        SMF(s) associated with the PDU session ID(s) with Cause set to        indicate “establishment of user plane resources” for a PDU        session.    -   In the case that the UE is in MICO mode and the AMF has notified        an SMF of the UE being unreachable and that SMF needs not        transmit DL data notifications to the AMF, the AMF informs the        SMF that the UE is reachable.

The AMF also notifies any other NF that subscribed to UE reachabilitythat the UE is reachable.

5. Based on the new location information, the SMF checks the UPFSelection Criteria, and determines to perform one of the following:

-   -   Continue using the current UPF(s);    -   Select a new intermediate UPF, in the case that the UE has moved        out of the service area of UPF that is connecting to RAN, while        maintaining the UPF(s) acting as PDU Session Anchor; or    -   Trigger re-establishment of the PDU Session to perform        relocation of the UPF acting as PDU Session anchor.

6a. [Conditional] SMF to new UPF: N4 Session Establishment Request

In the case that the SMF selects a new UPF to act as intermediate UPFfor the PDU session, an N4 Session Establishment Request message is sentto the new UPF, providing Packet detection, enforcement and reportingrules to be installed on the intermediate UPF. The PDU session anchorinfo for this PDU Session is also provided to the intermediate UPF.

6b. new UPF (intermediate) to SMF: N4 Session Establishment Response

The new intermediate UPF transmits an N4 Session Establishment Responsemessage to the SMF. In the case that the UPF allocates CN tunnel info,the UPF provides CN DL tunnel information and UL tunnel information(i.e. CN N3 tunnel information) to the SMF. The SMF starts a timer, tobe used in step 17a to release the resource in old intermediate UPF ifthere is one.

7a. [Conditional] SMF to UPF (PSA): N4 Session Modification Request

The SMF transmits N4 Session Modification Request message to PDU sessionanchor UPF, UPF (PSA), providing the DL tunnel information from newintermediate UPF.

7b. UPF (PSA) to SMF: N4 Session Modification Response

The UPF (PSA) transmits N4 Session Modification Response message to SMF.

8. [Conditional] SMF to AMF: N11 Message (N1 SM information (PDU sessionID, PDU Session re-establishment indication), N2 SM information (PDUSession ID, QoS profile, CN N3 Tunnel Info, S-NSSAI)) to the AMF.

Upon reception of the N11 Message in 4 with cause including“establishment of user plane resources”, the SMF determines whether UPFreallocation is performed, based on the UE location information, UPFservice area and operator policies:

-   -   For PDU session that SMF determines to be served by the current        PDU Session Anchor UPF in step 5, the SMF generates only N2 SM        information and transmits N11 Message to the AMF to establish        the User Plane. The N2 SM information contains information that        the AMF shall provide to the RAN.    -   For PDU sessions that SMF determines that UPF reallocation for        PDU Session Anchor UPF is needed in step 5, the SMF may transmit        N11 Message containing only N1 SM information to UE via AMF. The        N1 SM information includes the corresponding PDU session ID and        PDU Session re-establishment indication.

Upon reception of the N11 Message in step 4 with an indication that theUE is reachable, in the case that the SMF has pending DL data, the SMFtransmits N11 Message to the AMF to establish the User Plane for the PDUsessions, otherwise the SMF resumes transmitting DL data notificationsto the AMF in case of DL data.

9. AMF to (R)AN: N2 Request (N2 SM information received from SMF,security context, AMF Signalling Connection ID, Handover RestrictionList, MM NAS Service Accept).

RAN stores the Security Context, AMF Signalling Connection Id, QoSInformation for the QoS Flows of the PDU Sessions that are activated andN3 Tunnel IDs in the UE RAN context. The step is described in detail inRAN specifications.

MM NAS Service Accept includes PDU session status in AMF. When N1 SMinformation is received from step 8, the Service Accept message alsoincludes N1 SM information.

The AMF shall include at least one N2 SM information from SMF when theprocedure is triggered for PDU session User Plane configuration. The AMFmay transmit additional N2 SM information from SMFs in separate N2message (e.g. N2 tunnel setup request), if there is any. Alternatively,in the case that multiple SMFs are involved, the AMF may transmit one N2Request message to RAN after all the N11 messages from SMFs arereceived. In such a case, the N2 Request message includes the N2 SMinformation received in each of the N11 messages and information toenable AMF to associate responses to relevant SMF.

10. (R)AN to UE: The RAN performs RRC Connection Reconfiguration withthe UE depending on the QoS Information for all the QoS Flows of the PDUSessions activated and Data Radio Bearers. The User Plane security isestablished at this step, which is described in detail in RANspecifications.

The RAN forwards the MM NAS Service Accept to the UE. The UE locallydeletes context of PDU sessions that are not available in 5G CN.

When the N1 message is present in the Service Accept and indicates thatthe any PDU session needs to be re-established, the UE initiates PDUsession re-establishment after Service Request procedure is complete.

11. After the User Plane radio resources are setup, the uplink data fromthe UE may now be forwarded to RAN. The 5G RAN transmits the uplink datato the UPF address and Tunnel ID provided in the step 4.

12. [Conditional] (R)AN to AMF: N2 Request Ack (N2 SM information (RANTunnel info, List of accepted QoS Flows for the PDU Sessions activated,List of rejected QoS Flows for the PDU Sessions activated). This step isdescribed in detail in RAN specifications.

The message may include N2 SM information(s), for example, RAN tunnelinformation. RAN may respond N2 SM information with separate N2 message(e.g. N2 tunnel setup response) in the case that the AMF transmitsseparate N2 message in step 5.

When multiple N2 SM information is included in the N2 Request message instep 5, the N2 Request Ack includes multiple N2 SM information andinformation to enable the AMF to associate the responses to relevantSMF.

13. [Conditional] AMF to SMF: N11 Message (N2 SM information (RAN Tunnelinfo), RAT Type) per accepted PDU Session to the SMF.

In the case that the AMF received N2 SM information (one or multiple) instep 8, then the AMF shall forward the N2 SM information to the relevantSMF. In the case that the UE Time Zone has changed compared to the lastreported UE Time Zone, the AMF shall include the UE Time Zone IE in thismessage.

14. [Optional] SMF to PCF: If dynamic PCC is deployed, SMF may initiateIP-CAN Session Modification and provides new location information to thePCF.

15a. [Conditional] SMF to new intermediate UPF: N4 Session ModificationRequest (RAN tunnel information).

In the case that a User Plane is to be setup or modified, the SMFinitiates a N4 Session Modification procedure and provides RAN TunnelInformation.

15b. [Conditional] UPF to SMF: N4 Session Update Response.

16. [Conditional] SMF to AMF: N11 Message ACK.

17a. [Conditional] SMF to old intermediate UPF: N4 Session ReleaseRequest

In the case that there is an old intermediate UPF, the SMF initiatesresource release, after timer in step 6b expires, by transmitting an N4Session Release Request (Release Cause) to old intermediate UPF.

17b. Old intermediate UPF to SMF: N4 Session Release Response

The old UPF acknowledges with an N4 Session Release Response message toconfirm the release of resources.

Hereinafter, a UE triggered service request procedure in CM-CONNECTEDstate is described.

The Service Request procedure is used by a 5G UE in CM-CONNECTED torequest establish User Plane resources for the PDU sessions.

The procedure is not applicable for an access network (once the UE isregistered in the network) in which the UE is always considered as inCM-CONNECTED state and in which the User Plane resource is alwaysconsidered established for an active PDU session.

FIG. 16 illustrates a UE triggered Service Request procedure inCM-CONNECTED state which is applicable to the present invention.

1. UE to (R)AN: MM NAS Service Request (PDU session ID(s)).

The UE transmits NAS message Service Request towards the AMFencapsulated in an RRC message to the RAN. The MM NAS Service Requestmessage shall be encrypted and integrity protected. The PDU sessionID(s) in NAS message Service Request message indicates the PDU sessionthat the UE selects to activate.

2. (R)AN to AMF: N2 Message(MM NAS Service Request). Details of thisstep are described in RAN specifications. In the case that the ServiceRequest is not unable to be handled by the AMF, the AMF reject theService Request.

The (R)AN forwards the MM NAS Service Request message to the AMF basedon the existing N2 connection.

3. [Conditional] AMF to SMF: N11 Message (PDU session ID(s)).

The AMF transmits N11 message to SMF(s) associated with the PDU sessionID(s).

4. Based on the new location information, the SMF checks the UPFSelection Criteria. When a UE has moved out of the service area of UPFthat connecting to RAN, SMF selects a new intermediate UPF.

5a. [Conditional] SMF to new intermediate UPF: N4 Session EstablishmentRequest

When the SMF selects a new intermediate UPF for the PDU session, an N4Session Establishment Request message is sent to the new intermediateUPF, providing Packet detection, enforcement and reporting rules to beinstalled on the T-UPF. The PDU session anchor information for this PDUSession is also provided to the T-UPF.

5b. new UPF to SMF: N4 Session Establishment Response

The new UPF transmits an N4 Session Establishment Response message tothe SMF. In the case that the UPF allocates CN tunnel information, theUPF provides CN DL tunnel info and UL tunnel information (i.e. CN N3tunnel information) to the SMF. The SMFstarts a timer, to be used instep 17a to release the resource in old UPF if there is the resource.

6a. [Conditional] SMF to UPF (PSA): N4 Session Modification Request

The SMF transmits N4 Session Modification Request message to PDU sessionanchor UPF, UPF (PSA), providing the DL tunnel information for the newintermediate UPF.

6b. UPF (PSA) to SMF: N4 Session Modification Response

The UPF (PSA) transmits N4 Session Modification Response message to SMF.

7. [Conditional] SMF to AMF: N11 Message (N2 SM information (PDU SessionID, QoS profile, CN N3 Tunnel Info, S-NSSAI)) to the AMF.

The SMF generates N2 SM information and transmits N11 Message to the AMFto establish the User Plane(s) for the PDU sessions. The N2 SMinformation contains information that the AMF shall provide to the RAN.

8. [Conditional] AMF to (R)AN: N2 Request (N2 SM information (QoSprofile, CN N3 Tunnel Info) received from SMF, MM NAS Service Accept).

In the case that there are multiple PDU Sessions that involves multipleSMFs, the AMF does not need wait for responses from all SMFs in step 3b.

9. (R)AN to UE: The RAN performs RRC Connection Reconfiguration with theUE depending on the QoS Information for all the QoS Flows of the PDUSessions and Data Radio Bearers activated.

The RAN forwards the MM NAS Service Accept to the UE.

10. After the User Plane radio resources for the selected PDU sessionare setup, the uplink data from the UE can now be forwarded to RAN. The5G RAN transmits the uplink data to the UPF address and Tunnel IDprovided in the step 7.

11. [Conditional] (R)AN to AMF: N2 Request Ack (N2 SM information (RANTunnel info, List of accepted QoS Flows for the PDU Sessions activated,List of rejected QoS Flows for the PDU Sessions activated). This step isdescribed in detail in RAN specifications.

The message may include N2 SM information(s), for example, RAN tunnelinformation. RAN may respond N2 SM information with separate N2 message(e.g. N2 tunnel setup response).

12. [Conditional] AMF to SMF: N11 Message (N2 SM information (RAN Tunnelinfo, List of accepted QoS Flows, List of rejected QoS Flows)) peraccepted PDU Session to the SMF.

13. [Optional] SMF to PCF: When dynamic PCC is deployed, SMF mayinitiate IP-CAN Session Modification and provides new locationinformation to the PCF.

14a. [Conditional] SMF to UPF: N4 Session Update Request (RAN tunnelinfo and List of accepted QoS Flows).

In the case that a User Plane is to be setup or modified the SMFinitiates a N4 Session Modification procedure and provides RAN TunnelInformation.

14b. [Conditional] UPF to SMF: N4 Session Update Response.

15. [Conditional] SMF to AMF: N11 Message ACK.

16a. [Conditional] SMF to old UPF (intermediate): N4 Session ReleaseRequest

In the case that there is an old UPF (intermediate), the SMF initiatesresource release, after timer in step 6b expires, by transmitting an N4Session Release Request (Release Cause) to old UPF.

16b. Old UPF (intermediate) to SMF: N4 Session Release Response

The old UPF (intermediate) acknowledges with an N4 Session ReleaseResponse message to confirm the release of resources.

Hereinafter, a network triggered Service Request procedure is describedbelow.

This procedure includes aspects required to support network slicing, andshould include notification from UPF upon MT UP data arrival.

This procedure is used when the network needs to signal (e.g. N1signalling to UE, Mobile-terminated SMS, PDU session User Plane resourceestablishment to deliver mobile terminating user data) with a UE. In thecase that the UE is in CM-IDLE state or CM-CONNECTED state, the networkinitiates a network triggered Service Request procedure. In the casethat the UE is in CM-IDLE state, and asynchronous type communication isnot activated, the network transmits a Paging Request to (R)AN/UE. ThePaging Request triggers the Service Request procedure in the UE. In thecase that asynchronous type communication is activated, the networkstores the received message and forward the message to the (R)AN and/orthe UE (i.e. synchronizes the context with the (R)AN and/or the UE) whenthe UE enters CM-CONNECTED state.

FIG. 17 illustrates a network triggered Service Request procedure whichis applicable to the present invention.

1. When UPF receives downlink data of a PDU session and there is no(R)AN tunnel information stored in UPF for the PDU session, the UPFbuffers the downlink data, unless the UPF has previously been notifiedby the SMF to not buffer the downlink data.

2a. UPF to SMF: Data Notification (PDU session ID, Priority).

-   -   On arrival of the first downlink data packet, the UPF shall        transmit Data Notification message to the SMF, in the case that        the SMF has not previously notified the UPF to not transmit the        Data Notification to the SMF (in which case the next steps are        skipped).    -   When the UPF receives additional downlink data packets for a QoS        Flow in the same PDU Session with the same or a lower priority        than used in any previous Data Notification for this PDU        session, the UPF buffers these downlink data packets without        transmitting a new Data Notification. In the case that the UPF        receives additional downlink data packets for a QoS Flow in the        same PDU Session with a higher priority than used in any        previous Data Notification for this PDU Session, the UPF shall        transmit a Data Notification message to the SMF indicating the        higher priority.    -   When the Paging Policy Differentiation feature is supported by        the UPF and in the case that it is activated by the SMF for this        N4 session, the UPF shall also include the DSCP in TOS (IPv4)/TC        (IPv6) value from the IP header of the downlink data packet.    -   When the SMF, while waiting for the User Plane to be established        in UPF, receives N11 message notifying the new AMF serving the        UE from the new AMF, the SMF re-transmits the Data Notification        message only to the new AMF.

2b. SMF to UPF: Data Notification Ack.

3a. SMF to AMF: N11 message (UE Permanent ID, PDU session ID, N2 SMinformation (QoS profile, CN N3 Tunnel Info), Priority).

Unless the SMF was previously notified that the UE is unreachable, uponreception of a Data Notification message, the SMF determines the AMF andtransmits an N11 message (UE Permanent ID, PDU session ID, N2 SMinformation (PDU Session ID, QoS profile, CN N3 Tunnel Info, S-NSSAI),Priority, Paging Policy Indication) to the AMF including the Priorityand PDU Session ID received in the Data Notification message as part ofstep 2a.

When the SMF, while waiting for the User Plane Connection to beactivated, receives any additional Data Notification message for thesame PDU session but with higher priority than indicated in any previousData Notification for this PDU session, the SMF transmits a new N11message indicating the higher priority and PDU Session ID to the AMF.

When the SMF, while waiting for the User Plane to be activated, receivesan N11 message response from an AMF other than the one to which theSMFsent an N11 message, the SMF transmits the N11 message to this AMF.

When supporting Paging Policy Differentiation, the SMF indicates in theN11 message the Paging Policy Indication related to the downlink datathat triggered the Data Notification message.

The AMF may receive request message(s) from other network functionswhich leads to signaling towards UE/RAN (e.g. network initiated detach,SMF initiated PDU session modification). In the case that the UE is inCM-CONNECTED state and the AMF only delivers N1 message towards UE, theflow continues in step 7 below.

3b. [conditional] The AMF responds to the SMF.

In the case that the UE is in CM-IDLE state, and the AMF determines thatthe UE is not reachable for paging, the AMF shall either transmit an N11message to the SMF, or other network functions from which AMF receivedthe request message in step 3a, indicating the UE is not reachable, orthe AMF performs asynchronous type communication and store the N11message. In the case that asynchronous type communication is invoked andthe AMF stored an N11 message, the AMF initiates communication with theUE and (R)AN when the UE is reachable, for example, when the UE entersCM-CONNECTED state.

In the case that the UE is in MICO mode, the AMF rejects the requestfrom the SMF and may notify the SMF that the UE is unreachable (in casethe SMF had not subscribed to the UE reachability) with an indicationthat the SMF needs not transmit DL data notifications to the AMF. TheAMF stores an indication that the SMF has been informed that the UE isunreachable.

In the case that the Registration procedure with AMF change is inprogress when the old AMF receives a N11 message, the old AMF may rejectN11 message with an indication that the N11 message has been temporarilyrejected.

3c. [Conditional] SMF responds to the UPF

SMF may notify the UPF about the User Plane setup failure.

When the SMF receives an indication from the AMF that the UE isunreachable the SMF may, based on network policies, either:

-   -   Indicate to the UPF to stop transmitting Data Notifications        and/or to stop buffering DL data or apply extended buffering, or    -   Refrain from transmitting further N11 messages for DL data to        the AMF while the UE is in MICO mode.

Upon receiving the information that the N11 message requested from anSMF has been temporarily rejected, and receiving the Downlink DataNotification from UPF, the SMF may request the UPF to apply extendedbuffering.

4. [Conditional] AMF transmits Paging message to (R)AN node.

When the UE is in CM-CONNECTED state, the AMF performs step 5 to 12 inUE triggered Service Request procedure to activate the User PlaneConnection for this PDU session (i.e. establish the radio resources andN3 tunnel). The rest of this procedure is omitted.

4. In the case that the UE is in RM-REGISTERED state and CM-IDLE andreachable, the AMF transmits a Paging message (NAS ID for paging,Registration Area list, Paging DRX length, Paging Priority indication)to (R)AN node(s) belonging to the Registration Area(s) in which the UEis registered.

When supporting Paging Policy Differentiation, the AMF may includePaging Policy Indication in Paging Request message.

Paging strategies may be configured in the AMF for differentcombinations of DNN, Paging Policy Indication, PDU Session IDs from SMFwhen available and other PDU Session context information identified byPDU Session ID received in N11 message.

Paging strategies may include:

-   -   Paging retransmission scheme (e.g. how frequently the paging is        repeated or with what time interval);    -   Determining whether to transmit the Paging message to the (R)AN        nodes during certain AMF high load conditions;    -   Whether to apply sub-area based paging (e.g. first page in the        last known cell-id or TA and retransmission in all registered        TAs).

The AMF and the (R)AN may support further paging optimisations in orderto reduce the signalling load and the network resources used tosuccessfully page a UE by one or several of the following means:

-   -   By the AMF implementing specific paging strategies (e.g. the N2        Paging message is sent to the (R)AN nodes that served the UE        last);    -   By the AMF considering Information On Recommended Cells And RAN        nodes provided by the (R)AN at transition to CM-IDLE state. The        AMF determines the (R)AN nodes related part of this information        into account to determine the (R)AN nodes to be paged, and        provides the information on recommended cells within the N2        Paging message to each of these (R)AN nodes;    -   By the (R)AN considering the Paging Attempt Count Information        provided by the AMF at paging.

In the case that the UE Radio Capability for Paging Information isavailable in the AMF, the AMF adds the UE Radio Capability for PagingInformation in the N2 Paging message to the (R)AN nodes.

In the case that the Information On Recommended Cells And (R)AN nodesFor Paging is available in the AMF, the AMF shall take that informationinto account to determine the (R)AN nodes for paging and, when paging a(R)AN node, the AMF may transparently convey the information onrecommended cells to the (R)AN node.

The AMF may include in the N2 Paging message(s) the paging attempt countinformation. The paging attempt count information shall be the same forall (R)AN nodes selected by the AMF for paging.

5. [Conditional] The (R)AN node pages the UE.

When (R)AN nodes receive paging messages from the AMF, the UE is pagedby the (R)AN node.

6. [Conditional] AMF to SMF: N11 message ACK.

The AMF supervises the paging procedure with a timer. In the case thatthe AMF receives no response from the UE to the Paging Request message,the AMF may apply further paging according to any applicable pagingstrategy described in step 3.

In the case that the AMF receives no response from the UE, the AMFconsiders the UE as unreachable and the SM N2 message cannot be routedto the (R)AN, so the AMF shall return an “N11 message Reject” with anappropriate “failure cause”, e.g. UE unreachability, to SMF or othernetwork functions to indicate the failure of “message routing service”,unless the AMF is aware of an ongoing MM procedure that prevents the UEfrom responding, i.e. the AMF receives an N14 Context Request messageindicating that the UE performs Registration procedure with another AMF.

When an “N11 message Reject” is received, SMF informs the UPF.

7. When UE is in the CM-IDLE state, upon reception of paging request,the UE initiates the UE triggered Service Request procedure (FIG. 15).In step 4a of FIG. 15, the AMF transmits N11 message to SMF(s)associated with the PDU session identified by PDU session ID(s) in MMNAS Service Request message if there is any. However, not to SMF(s) fromwhich it receives the N11 message in step 3a.

8. The UPF transmits the buffered downlink data toward UE via (R)AN nodewhich performed the Service Request procedure.

A network transmits downlink signaling in the case that the procedure istriggered due to request from other network entities described in step3a.

FIG. 18 illustrates MO SMS transmission procedure via NAS in CM-IDLEwhich is applicable to the present invention.

1. In the case that a UE under CM IDLE mode is going to transmit uplinkSMS message, then UE and network perform the UE triggered ServiceRequest procedure firstly to establish a NAS signaling connection toAMF.

2. The UE builds the SMS message to be sent, as the SMS message includesCP-DATA/RP-DATA/TPDU/SMS-SUBMIT parts. The SMS message is encapsulatedin an NAS message with an indication indicating that the NAS message isfor SMS transporting. The UE transmit the NAS message to the AMF. TheAMF forwards the SMS message and SPUI to the SMSF serving the UE overN17 using uplink unit data message to permit the SMSF to create anaccurate charging record, the AMF adds the IMEISV, the local time zone,and the UE's current TAI and x-CGI. The AMF forwards the SMS ack messagefrom the SMSF to the UE using downlink unit data message.

3-5. This is based on the existing procedure defined in TS 23.040 [7].

6. SMSF forwards the delivery report to AMF via downlink unit datamessage which is forwarded to UE via Downlink NAS transport.

7. When no more SMS data is to be forwarded to UE, SMSF request the AMFto terminate this SMS transaction.

FIG. 19 illustrates MO SMS procedure using one step approach in CM-IDLEwhich is applicable to the present invention. Particularly, FIG. 19shows the procedure for UE originated SMS messages using NAS Transportwhen the UE is in CM-IDLE mode with one step approach.

The UE may request during registration procedure to be able to performNAS transport in an initial NAS message. The AMF determines whether toaccept or reject based on its capability and local configuration.

1. After successful negotiation, when a UE is in CM-IDLE mode, and theUE needs to transport SMS over NAS, the UE may transmit the Payload Typeand SMS Payload in an initial NAS message.

2. The AMF transmits a response to the initial NAS message eitheraccepting or rejecting the UE initial NAS message.

MO SMS in CM-CONNECTED Mode procedure is specified by reusing the MO SMSin CM-IDLE Mode without the UE triggered Service Request procedure.

5GS MM

The main function of the 5GS mobility management (5GMM) sublayer is tosupport the identification, security, mobility of a UE as well asgeneric message transport.

A further function of the 5GMM sublayer is to provide connectionmanagement services to the other sublayer(s).

1. Types of 5GMM Procedures

Depending on how they may be initiated, three types of 5GMM proceduresmay be distinguished:

1) 5GMM Common Procedures

Initiated by the network or the UE and used to carry a 5GMM messageand/or any other encapsulated message(s), for example, SMS or when theAMF wants to change UE configuration.

The procedures belonging to this type are:

Initiated by the network:

-   -   network-initiated SM message transport.    -   network-initiated non-SM message transport.    -   network-initiated NAS transport.    -   generic UE Configuration update.

Initiated by the UE:

-   -   UE-initiated SM message transport.    -   UE-initiated non-SM message transport.    -   UE-initiated NAS transport.

2) 5GMM Specific Procedures:

At any time only one UE initiated 5GMM specific procedure may be runningfor each of the access network(s) that the UE is camping in. Theprocedures belonging to this type are Initiated by the UE and used, forexample, to register to the network for 5GS services and establish a5GMM context, to update the location/parameter(s) of the UE. Theprocedures belonging to this type is as below:

-   -   Registration.

Initiated by the UE or the network and used to deregister from thenetwork for 5GS services and to release a 5GMM context:

-   -   De-registration.

3) 5GMM Connection Management Procedures:

Initiated by the UE and used to establish a secure connection to thenetwork or to request the resource reservation for transmitting data, orboth:

-   -   Service request.

The service request procedure may only be initiated in the case that noUE initiated 5GMM specific procedure is ongoing for each of the accessnetwork(s) that the UE is camping in.

Initiated by the network and used to request the establishment of an N1NAS signaling connection or to prompt the UE to perform re-registrationif necessary as a result of a network failure; not applicable for thenon-3GPP access network:

-   -   Paging.

Hereinafter, EMM and ESM for Service Request procedure in EPC aredescribed. Followings represents parts that (E)MM process in the EPCexisting technique is influenced by the ESM. This is a part related toService Request procedure.

1. Service Request Procedure not Accepted by the Network

In the case that the service request cannot be accepted, the networkshall return a SERVICE REJECT message to the UE including an appropriateEMM cause value.

The MME may be configured to perform MME-based access control for mobileoriginating CS fallback calls for a certain area A by rejecting relatedservice request with EMM cause #39 “CS service temporarily notavailable”.

Dependent on implementation and operator configuration the area A may beconfigured with the granularity of an MME area, tracking area or eNodeBservice area.

The MME may further be configured for a certain area A′ to exemptservice requests for mobile originating CS fallback calls from thisMME-based access control, if:

-   -   The service request is initiated in EMM-IDLE mode; and    -   The UE indicated support of eNodeB-based access control for        mobile originating CS fallback calls during an attach or        tracking area updating procedure.

The operator may use this second option when the eNodeBs in area A′ aresupporting the eNodeB-based access control for CS fallback calls. Thearea A′ may be part of area A or the whole area A. It is theresponsibility of the operator to coordinate the activation of MME-basedaccess control and eNodeB-based access control for mobile originating CSfallback calls.

When the EMM cause value is #39 “CS service temporarily not available”,the MME shall include a value for timer T3442 in the SERVICE REJECTmessage. In the case that a mobile terminating CS fallback call isaborted by the network during call establishment, the MME shall includethe EMM cause value #39 “CS service temporarily not available” and setthe value of timer T3442 to ‘zero’.

In the case that a service request from a UE with only LIPA PDNconnections is not accepted due to the reason, depending on the servicerequest received, the MME shall include the following EMM cause value inthe SERVICE REJECT message:

-   -   In the case that the service request received is not due to CS        fallback or 1×CS fallback, EMM cause value #10 “implicitly        detached”; or    -   In the case that the service request received is due to CS        fallback or 1×CS fallback, EMM cause value #40 “no EPS bearer        context activated”.

In the case that a service request from a UE with only remaining SIPTOat the local network PDN connections is not accepted due to the reasonsspecified, depending on the service request received, the MME shall:

-   -   In the case that the service request received is due to CS        fallback or 1×CS fallback, include the EMM cause value #40 “no        EPS bearer context activated” in the SERVICE REJECT message; or    -   In the case that the service request received is not due to CS        fallback or 1×CS fallback, abort the service request procedure        and transmit a DETACH REQUEST message to the UE with detach type        “re-attach required”.

Hereinafter, the EMM and the ESM for the attach procedure in an EPC isdescribed. Below represents the part in which the (E)MM operation isinfluenced by the ESM in the conventional EPS technique. This is thepart in relation to the attach procedure.

2. Attach not Accepted by the Network

In the case that the attach request may not be accepted by the network,the MME shall transmit an ATTACH REJECT message to the UE including anappropriate EMM cause value.

In the case that EMM-REGISTERED without PDN connection is not supportedby the UE or the MME, the attach request included a PDN CONNECTIVITYREQUEST message, the attach procedure fails due to:

-   -   a default EPS bearer setup failure;    -   an ESM procedure failure; or    -   operator determined barring is applied on default EPS bearer        context activation during attach procedure,

The MME shall:

-   -   combine the ATTACH REJECT message with a PDN CONNECTIVITY REJECT        message contained in the ESM message container information        element. In this case the EMM cause value in the ATTACH REJECT        message shall be set to #19 “ESM failure”; or    -   transmit the ATTACH REJECT message with the EMM cause set to #15        “No suitable cells in tracking area”, if the PDN connectivity        reject is due to ESM cause #29 subject to operator policies. In        this case, the network may additionally include the Extended EMM        cause IE with value “E-UTRAN not allowed”.

3. Combined Attach not Accepted by the Network

In the case that the attach request can neither be accepted by thenetwork for EPS nor for non-EPS services, the MME shall transmit anATTACH REJECT message to the UE including an appropriate EMM causevalue. In the case that EMM-REGISTERED without PDN connection is notsupported by the UE or the MME, the attach request included a PDNCONNECTIVITY REQUEST message, and the attach procedure fails due to adefault EPS bearer setup failure, an ESM procedure failure or operatordetermined barring, the MME shall:

-   -   combine the ATTACH REJECT message with a PDN CONNECTIVITY REJECT        message contained in the ESM message container information        element. In this case the EMM cause value in the ATTACH REJECT        message shall be set to #19, “ESM failure”; or    -   transmit the ATTACH REJECT message with the EMM cause set to #15        “No suitable cells in tracking area”, if the PDN connectivity        reject is due to ESM cause #29 subject to operator policies. In        this case, the network may additionally include the Extended EMM        cause IE with value “E-UTRAN not allowed”.

Network Handling Method for Service Request Procedure

According to the Service Request procedure described with reference toFIG. 15 above, in the case that a PDU session ID is included in theservice request message, it is unclearly defined when a service acceptmessage (or service reject message) is to be transmitted (problem 1).

In addition, according to step 9 of the Service Request procedure, inthe case that the AMF receives at least one N2 Session Management (SM)information from SMF, the AMF does not wait for the transmission of theadditional N2 SM information from the corresponding SMF, but directlyforwards the N2 SM information to (R)AN. In this case, the additional N2SM information transmitted from the corresponding SMF is forwarded to(R)AN by the AMF through a separate N2 message (e.g., N2 tunnel setuprequest). The AN that receives such N2 SM information performs an RRCreconfiguration procedure as in step 10, and even in this case, it isunclearly defined when (e.g., whether to start it after receiving theadditional N2 SM information) or which way the connectionreconfiguration setup procedure is performed by AN (problem 1),specifically.

Accordingly, in the present disclosure, the embodiments for defining apart of unclear step/process in the Service Request procedure areproposed as below.

The present invention proposed below is mainly described by targetingthe embodiment which is applicable to UE triggered Service Request inCM-IDLE state procedure of TS 23.502, but the present invention is notlimited thereto, and also applicable to UE triggered Service Request inCM-CONNECTED state of TS 23.502 and the registration procedure of TS23.502. Particularly, the present invention may be applied to the casethat PDU session ID information is included in N1 message (e.g., ServiceRequest message or Registration Request message) in the correspondingprocedure(s).

The embodiment below is mainly described based on the Service Requestprocedure, but the message may be switched to/replaced by a message andused/applied in accordance with the Registration procedure when theembodiment is applied to the Registration procedure of TS 23.502. Forexample, the Service Request message, the Service Accept message and theService Reject message in the following embodiments may be switchedto/replaced by the Registration Request message, the Registration Acceptmessage and the Registration Reject message and used/applied.

In the present invention, the interaction between AMF and SMF when a UEtransmits a Service Request message (or Registration (Request) message)among 5G Mobility management (MM) messages is mainly described, but alsoapplicable to all cases that 5G MM message is transmitted in othernetwork function but AMF.

In addition, in the present invention, as 5G MM message, all proceduresof 5G MM messages initiated by a UE may be applied among 5GS MMprocedures. For example, as the 5G MM message of the present invention,except the Service Request message and the Registration (Request)message, a UL NAS transport message or a generic UE setup update, or thelike may be applied.

However, for the 5G MM message, not the Service Request message, thefollowing differences may be existed (however, the 5G MM message of thecase of performing a PDU session establishment simultaneously togetherwith the registration (e.g., when performing TAU procedure in EPC, anactive flag is configured) may not be different from the Service Requestmessage). For example, an SM message, not a PDU session ID, may beincluded in the 5G MM message, not the Service Request message. In thecase that the 5G MM message, not the Service Request message, isforwarded to the AMF together with the SM message, the AMF may forwardthe N11 message with the corresponding SM message to the SMF. In thiscase, the SMF transmits the N11 response message in response to the N11message received from the AMF with the SM (response) message to the SMmessage received from the UE. The AMF that receives the N11 responsemessage transmits the SM (response) message transmitted with beingincluded in the N11 response message to the UE.

By considering such differences, the present invention may also beidentically/similarly applied to the 5G MM message, not the ServiceRequest message.

In addition, the network function of the present invention may mean allnetwork functions that have an interface with the AMF. For example, thenetwork function of the present invention may be commonly called asSMSF, PCF, UDM and/or AUSF.

Further, in the present invention, it is assumed the case that, when theAMF receives information related to SM (e.g., PDU session ID) togetherwith MM request (i.e., Service Request message), the MM request isaccepted. That is, the present invention relates to the procedure afterthe AMF accepts the request for connection/mobility management in 5GMMaspect, and transmits the N11 message to the SMF. In the case that theAMF receives SM related information (e.g., PDU session ID) together withthe MM Request (e.g., Service Request message) but rejects the MMrequest, the AMF may transmit MM Reject message (e.g., Service Rejectmessage) to the UE without regard to SMF decision (i.e., withouttransmitting N11 message to the SMF).

In the conventional art, the PDU session ID information is described asPDU session ID, but may be represented/signaled with information ofother format indicating a PDU session in the present invention. Forexample, the PDU session ID information may be represented/signaled toindicate a PDU session ID explicitly/implicitly or represented/signaledwith bitmap information.

In the case that it is determined to a scenario that UPF relocation isnot occurred among the Service request procedures, when the SMF respondsto the N11 message transmitted by the AMF, the case that the N11response message includes the N1 SM information may not occur. Such ascenario may be applied to the embodiment excluding that the N1 SMinformation is transmitted/included in the present invention.

Invention proposal 1) Operation proposal for solving problem 1 describedabove

In the case that a UE transmits a PDU session ID to a network togetherwith a service request message, AMF may receive and process the servicerequest message, and select the SMF to which a PDU session ID istransmitted. In addition, the AMF may forward N11 message including thecorresponding PDU session ID to the selected SMF. When the SMF receivesthe PDU session ID included in the N11 message, the SMF may determinewhether to accept or reject establishment of the PDU session thatcorresponds to the PDU session ID, and inform/transmit the accept/rejectresponse information/message (corresponding to N11 responseinformation/message) for it with being included in the N11 responsemessage. The accept/reject determination of the PDU sessionestablishment may be determined based on state/problem of the SMF or theUPF or based on state/problem of the UE.

At this time, the following two cases may be assumed.

1. The case that the AMF does not know whether the response to the PDUsession ID included in the N11 (response) message received from the SMFis reject or accept

2. The case that the AMF knows whether the response to the PDU sessionID included in the N11 (response) message received from the SMF isreject or accept

In the case of 1, since the AMF does not know whether the response tothe PDU session ID is accept or reject, the AMF may perform a responseto the MM response message (e.g., transmit Service Reject/Acceptmessage) regardless of the response from the SMF. However, in this case,even in the case that the UE fails to establish a session for the PDUsession ID requested by the UE, the UE may receive an MM Accept message(e.g., Service Accept message). In this case, even in the case that thesession establishment for all requested PDU session IDs is notsuccessful; the UE may receive the MM Accept message. As a result,without attaining the object of transmitting and receiving data throughthe PDU session establishment, the UE is left as a state in which onlyNAS signaling connection is kept while receiving the Service Acceptmessage. In this state, in the case that the UE re-requests theestablishment of the PDU session which is the same as the rejected PDUsession requested previously, the UE may receive SM reject again fromthe SMF. Accordingly, even in the case that there is NAS signalingconnection, the UE may not request for the same PDU session to the sameSMF or the request is limited for a predetermined time. Due to thisreason, in the case that the UE that requests the PDU sessionestablishment receives SM Reject message from the SMF, it is not helpfulto keep the NAS signaling connection.

Accordingly, as described above, in order to solve the problem that mayoccur when the UE receives the MM Accept message (e.g., Service Acceptmessage) and the NAS signaling connection is kept, that is, to preventthe UE from being kept in EMM-CONNECTED mode and unnecessary resourcewaste of the network, the following operation may be performed.

1) UE performs a procedure for releasing NAS signaling connection.

2) UE performs a detach request procedure.

On the contrary, in the case of 2, since the AMF knows whether theresponse to the PDU session ID is accept or reject, the AMF maydetermine MM reject or MM accept according to the response from the SMF.

For example, in the case that the UE transmits the MM Request message(e.g., Service Request message) together with the PDU session ID to theAMF, the AMF may accept the MM

Request (message) and wait for a response from the SMF after forwardingSM message as N11 message to the SMF. At this time, in the case that theresponses from all SMFs include a reject for the PDU sessionestablishment, the AMF may decide MM reject without regard to the acceptdecision to the MM Request, and transmit MM Reject message to the UE.

Meanwhile, the embodiment of case 2 may be divided into the case thatthe AMF may identify only whether the PDU session establishment (or aresponse to the PDU session ID requested by the UE) is reject or acceptand the case that the AMF may further identify the reject causeadditionally. Unless there is special mention in the present invention,it is assumed that the AMF may distinguish only whether the PDU sessionestablishment (or a response to the PDU session ID requested by the UE)is reject or accept, but not limited thereto.

Detailed invention proposal 0) proposes an invention proposal applicableto both of cases 1 and 2, and detailed invention proposal 1) proposes aninvention proposal for the case that the AMF knows whether the SMmessage (for the requested PDU session ID) included in the N11(response) message received from the SMF is reject or accept (i.e., case2).

Detailed Invention Proposal 0)

In the case that the SMF transmits the N11 response message includingthe SM reject to the PDU session ID to the AMF, the SMF may transmit aseparate indication to the AMF or transmit the N11 response messageincluding the rejection cause as the IE to the AMF such that the AMF maydistinguish the case of rejection due to the cause and the case ofrejection due to other cause.

-   -   In the case that the reject cause is the problem of the SMF        itself, not the problem of the UE (e.g., the case that the SMF        is congested (in this case, the reject cause such as “SMF        congestion” or “SMF reselection is required” may be        used/signaled), or the case that interaction with other NF is        required to process the DNN requested by the UE or the UE's        request, but an interface with the corresponding NF is not        existed or not connected due to a temporal problem); or    -   The case that the problem may be solved by reselecting the SMF.

In this case, the SMF may transmit the reject cause or indication suchas “SMF congestion”, “SMF reselection is required” or “corresponding NFis not reachable” with being included in the N11 response message suchthat the AMF may identify it.

The AMF that receives it may solve the problem by reselecting the SMF,and in the case that other alternative/new SMF is existed, without anyseparate interaction with the UE, the AMF may transmit the SM messageincluded in the N1 message received from the UE (i.e., the SM messagerejected by the old SMF) with being included in the N11 message to thealternative/new SMF.

At this time, after the AMF receives the N1 message from the UE, thetime until the AMF forwards a response therefor (e.g., N1 responsemessage or DRB establishment) to the UE shall be smaller than aconfigured/started timer value for checking whether the N1 messagetransmission is successful. Otherwise, a retransmit of the N1 message ofthe UE may occur before the AMF transmits a response to the UE, andowing to this, the operation of the AMF is reset and may cause anunnecessary signaling only. Accordingly, considering this, the AMF shallgenerate/perform the operation from reselecting the SMF and receivingthe N11 response message from the SMF to responding/forwarding it to theUE until the N1 message retransmit of the UE.

The embodiment may also be applied to the interaction between the SMFand the UDF. For example, the proposed embodiment may be applied whenperforming steps 6a and 6b or steps 7a and 7b of FIG. 15.

So far, the method for solving the SM reject problem cause from the oldSMF by SMF reselection has been described.

Similarly, the SMF provides guides related to the reject cause or the MMoperation after rejection to the AMF through the N11 response message,and accordingly, it may be helpful for AMF subsequent process/operation.

Detailed Invention Proposal 1-1) Condition of Transmitting a ServiceAccept Message

Option 1) The case may be considered that the AMF waits for theresponses from all SMFs that transmit the N11 message in step 4 of theService Request procedure of FIG. 15 and after identifying the responsefrom all SMFs, the AMF transmits the Service Accept or Reject messagewith the response. The AMF may operate as follows depending on theresult of identifying the response from all SMFs that transmit the N11message:

1. In the case that the AMF receives even one N11 response messageincluding SM Accept or meaning it from the SMF in response to the SMrequest (e.g., PDN session establishment request) for the PDU session IDtransmitted by the N11 message, the AMF may transmit MM Accept message(e.g., Service Accept message) to the UE.

2. With respect to the SM request e.g., PDN session establishmentrequest) for the PDU session ID transmitted by the N11 message, the AMFfails to receives even one N11 response message including SM Accept ormeaning it from the SMF (i.e., in the case that the response from allSMFs is SM reject or ‘no response’), the AMF may transmit the MM rejectmessage (e.g., Service Reject message) to the UE.

3. The AMF may transmit the Service Accept message as a service responsemessage always without regard to the response from the SMF. At thistime, in the case that the PDU session is rejected by the SMF, theService Accept message including the rejected PDU session ID and thereject cause therefor may be transmitted to the UE.

Option 2)

The AMF may receive the N11 response message for the N11 messagetransmitted to the SMF in step 4 of the Service Request procedure instep 8. When one or more receive N11 response message includes N1 SMinformation and/or N2 SM information, the AMF may regard it as a successof the Service Request procedure. That is, at the moment of receivingthe first N11 (response) message including the N1 SM information and/orthe N2 SM information, the AMF determines this as a success of theService Request procedure. Here, the N1 SM information may correspond toSM response information of the SMF for the UE and the N2 SM informationmay correspond to SM response information of the SMF for NG-RAN.

In the case of Option 2, since the Service Accept message is transmittedto the UE within a short time, there is an advantage that the UE maydetermine whether the Service Request procedure is succeeded quickly.

When receiving the first N11 (response) message including the N1 SMinformation and/or the N2 SM information, the AMF may transmit theService Accept message to the UE. With this, the signaling optimizationembodiment below may be applied.

[Signaling Optimization Embodiment] (Commonly Applicable to Option 1 and2)

As described above, in the case that the AMF receives the first N11(response) message including the N1 SM information and/or the N2 SMinformation including/meaning SM Accept for the PDU session ID requestedby the UE (i.e., in the case that a transmission condition of theService Request message is satisfied), in order to reduce signalingoverhead of the Service

Accept message, the AMF may not signal/transmit the Service Acceptmessage. Instead, the UE may determine whether the Service Requestprocedure is succeeded through Data Radio Bearer (DRB) which isgenerated by the RRC connection reconfiguration performed in step 10 ofFIG. 15. That is, the UE-AS (UE-RRC) layer may transmit ‘User planebearer establishment’ indication to the UE-NAS layer when the DRB issuccessfully established, and through this, the UE-NAS layer mayidentify that the Service Request procedure is succeeded.

[Method for configuring N11 (response) message], [Method for determiningN11 response message reception failure], [Method for configuring N1(response) message] and [Method for transmitting MM Reject message(e.g., Registration Reject message or Service Reject message)] describebelow may be commonly applied to option 1 and 2 described above.

[Method for Configuring N11 Response Message] (Common to Option 1 and 2)

A response to the N11 message that the AMF transmitted to the SMF instep 4 of the Service Request procedure of FIG. 15 may be one of thefollowings:

A. N11 (response) message including at least one of the followinginformation is transmitted:

A-1) N1 SM information;

A-2) N2 SM information; and/or

A-3) Reject cause

B. N11 (response) message is not received (the case of failing toreceive N11 response message)

The N1 SM information may be transmitted with being included in the N11(response) message, and according to the format of signaling/configuringthe N1 SM information of the SMF, the following options may be existed.

-   -   N1 SM information is included as a container form of the N11        (response) message    -   After a separate SM message for transmitting the N1 SM        information, the SM message is included as a container form of        the N11 (response) message.

Additionally, even in the case that a reject cause is included in theN11 (response) message, the option as the same as the case that the N1SM information is included may be considered. At this time, the rejectcause 3) may also be forwarded to the UE as the N1 SM information. Inthis case, an indication for the AMF to distinguish whether the N1 SMinformation includes/means Accept for the PDU session ID requested bythe UE or includes/means Reject may be included in the N11 (response)message separately (since the AMF is unable to identify the N1 SMinformation (signaling information between SMF-UE). The AMF maydistinguish whether the SM response is Accept or Reject from the SMFthrough the indication. Otherwise, the reject cause 3) may be receivedthrough the N11 (response) message by being signaled as information thatthe AMF may identify. In this case, the AMF may determine whether thecorresponding PDU session ID is accepted based on whether the rejectcause is included without the separate indication described above (e.g.,in the case that the reject cause is signaled/included in the N11(response) message, the AMF may identify that the PDU session ID isrejected based on the corresponding reject cause.

In relation to A-1) and A-2), the description of FIG. 15 may be applied.

For A-3) case, in the case that the SMF is unable to accept the N11message transmitted in step 4 of FIG. 15, the cause for the rejectionmay be transmitted by being included in the N11 (response) message.

For example, the N11 (response) message may be configured to include atleast one of the followings:

I. Container including N1 SM information

II. Container including N2 SM information

III. Container including reject cause (of SMF) (i.e., ‘reject causecontainer’)

The AMF may not identify the information in the included container.Instead, according to/based on whether to include the container, the AMFmay determine whether the response is Accept or Reject and the operationto perform when the response is Accept. For example, in the case that atleast one reject cause container is transmitted by being included in theN11 (response) message, the AMF may regard a response of the SMF asrejection.

In the case that identification for the SM reject cause of the SMF isallowed, it may be signaled/represented by a separate IE, not thecontainer described above. In this case, the AMF may know a response ofthe SMF (e.g., whether to accept/reject) by directly identifying the SMreject cause through the corresponding IE.

In the case that I) or II) described above is included in the N11(response) message, the AMF may identify that the response from the SMFis Accept. In the case that III) described above is included in the N11(response) message, the AMF may identify that the response from the SMFis Reject.

It is as described above that the reject cause of A-3) described abovemay be forwarded as N1 SM information. In this case, an indication forthe AMF to distinguish whether the N1 SM information includes/meansAccept for the PDU session ID requested by the UE or includes/meansReject shall be included in the N11 (response) message, and in thiscase, the AMF may distinguish whether the SM response from the SMF isAccept or Reject through the indication, which is as described above.

That is, in summary, the reject cause of A-3) may be i) forwarded as N1SM information, ii) transmitted with being included in the reject causecontainer which is separately defined, or iii) transmitted with beingincluded in the IE which is separately defined so as to be identified bythe AMF, and the description according to each embodiment is asdescribed above.

[Method for Determining N11 Response Message Reception Failure] (Commonto Option 1 and 2)

In the case of B) described above, in order to determine the case thatthe N11 response message is not received (i.e., reception failure) andwhether the N11 message is transmitted well in step 4 of FIG. 15, thefollowing embodiment may be proposed.

-   -   First, while transmitting the N11 message to the SMF, the AMF        may start a specific timer for each SMF (e.g., timer Tabcd) with        being configured as a specific value.    -   In the case that the AMF receives the N11 response message from        the old SMF before the timer Tabcd expires, the AMF terminates        Tabcd and determines that the N11 response message is received        from the SMF.    -   In the case that the AMF fails to receive the N11 response        message from the old SMF until the timer Tabcd expires, the AMF        determines that there is no N11 response message from the SMF        (i.e., reception failure of the N11 response message).

In this embodiment, the timer Tabcd value may be set as smaller than thetimer value for the UE to determine whether a transmission of theService Request message is successful. Otherwise, it is highly probablethat the Service Request procedure is unnecessarily/improperly faileddue to the timer termination.

[Method for Transmitting MM Reject Message (e.g., Service RejectMessage)] (Common to Option 1 and 2)

In the case that the following condition (i.e., Service Rejectcondition) is satisfied when performing the Service Request procedure,the AMF may transmit the Service Reject message to the UE.

A. The case that there is one PDU session ID included in the ServiceRequest message transmitted in step 1 of the Service Request procedureof FIG. 15 and the UE determines that there is no N11 response message(i.e., fails to receive N11 response message) from the SMF through whichthe corresponding PDU session ID is transmitted: refer to [method fordetermining N11 response message reception failure]

B. The case that there are one or more PDU session IDs included in theService Request message transmitted in step 1 of the Service Requestprocedure of FIG. 15 (i.e., in the SM request, a plurality of PDUsession IDs is associated/involved with a plurality of SMFs), and theresponse from the SMF that transmitted the N11 message in step 4 is asbelow:

i. The case of failing to receive the N11 (response) message from allSMFs (i.e., the response from all SMFs is B in the [Configuration of N11response message]): refer to [method for determining N11 responsemessage reception failure];

ii. The case that the N11 (response) message is received from the SMF,but the reject cause is included in the N11 (response) message from allSMFs (i.e., the case that the response from all SMFs includes A-3) ofthe [Configuration of N11 response message]); or

iii. The case that the response from all SMFs is one of the followings(i.e., the response from all SMFs is B) of the [Configuration of N11response message]) or includes A-3))

iii-1) Fail to receive the N11 (response) message;

iii-2) The case that the N11 (response) message is received but thereject cause is included in the N11 (response) message from all SMFs

The embodiment assumes/premises the case that the AMF accepts theresponse to the MM Request message (e.g., Service Request message). Thatis, the embodiment assumes/premises the case that the AMF accepts therequest for connection/mobility management in 5GMM aspect.

In the case that the AMF rejects the request according to the Requestmessage, the AMF transmits the Service Reject message regardless of theresponse of the SMF described above. That is, the AMF may transmit theService Reject message when rejecting the MM request (e.g., ServiceRequest message), and the AMF may transmit the Service Accept message orthe Service Reject message according to the N11 response messagetransmitted later. The transmission condition of the ServiceAccept/Reject message may be different depending on option 1 and/or 2described above.

The Service Reject message may include the information for the N11response message commonly as below. For example, a response (e.g.,Accept/Reject and/or reject cause) from the SMF may be included andtransmitted for each PDU session ID/unit that the UE requested in theService Reject message, and the example is as follows:

-   -   In the case that the response (e.g., N11 response message) for        the N11 message transmitted to the SMF includes a reject cause,        as described in the following example, the AMF transmits the        Service response (e.g., Accept or Reject) message with the        reject cause: (PDU session ID, reject cause), (PDU session ID,        ‘reject cause container’) or (PDU session ID, ‘N1 SM information        (SM Reject message (including the reject cause)’)    -   In the case that there is no response (e.g., N11 response        message, i.e., failing to receive the N11 response message) for        the N11 message transmitted to the SMF, as described in the        following example, the AMF transmits the Service response (e.g.,        Accept or Reject) message with ‘no response’. According to an        embodiment, ‘no response’ may be represented/defined as a        type/sort of the reject cause: (PDU session ID, ‘no response’)        or (PDU session ID, reject cause=‘no response’)    -   In the case that the response for the N11 message transmitted to        the SMF is success/Accept (e.g., N11 (response) message includes        the N1 SM information and/or the N2 SM information), the AMF may        include ‘Success/Accept (indicator)’ in the Service response        (e.g., Accept or Reject) message or may not include the response        information for the corresponding PDU session ID: (PDU session        ID, ‘Success/Accept’) or ‘Null’

[Method for Configuring N1 Message] (Common to Option 1 and 2)

In the case that the UE configures/includes the MM Request message(e.g., Service Request message) and the PDU session ID in the N1 messageand transmits it to the AMF, the AMF may transmit the N1 responsemessage (e.g., MM NAS Service Accept/Reject message), which is aresponse to the N1 message, with all of response/result for all PDUsession IDs included in the MM Request message (e.g., the ServiceRequest message transmitted by the UE in step 1 of the Service Requestprocedure of FIG. 15). The detailed AMF operation for this case may bedefined as below. The condition of transmitting Service Accept message,Service Reject message or other N1 message using the N1 response messagemay follow the embodiment/option (e.g., option 1 or 2 described above)or the combination thereof. Here, in the case that the N1 messageincluding the PDU session ID and the MM message requested by the UE istransmitted to the AMF, a method for the AMF to configure N1 responsemessage therefor is particularly proposed:

-   -   The AMF transmits response information with being included in        the N1 response message to the UE such that the UE identifies        the response information for Accept/Success and Reject/Failure        (of PDU session establishment) for the PDU session ID through        the N1 message. The AMF determines/regards/decides        Accept/Success and Reject/Failure based on/through the N11        response message received from the SMF.

i. The AMF determines/regards/decides as Accept/Success in the case thatthe N11 response message includes the N1 SM information and/or N2 SMinformation;

ii. The AMF determines/regards/decides as Reject/Failure in the casethat the N11 response message includes Failure/Reject cause or the AMFdoes not receive any response from the SMF.

-   -   The AMF marks the PDU session ID requested by the UE and        Accept/Success and Reject/Failure for the PDU session ID in the        N1 response message such that the UE may identify it.

i. In the case of Accept/Success, the AMF may mark/signaling/configureAccept/Success in the following method:

i-1) In the case that the N11 response message for the PDU session IDincludes the N1 SM information, the N1 response message includes the PDUsession ID and the corresponding N1 SM information as a container.

i-2) In the case that the N11 response message for the PDU session IDincludes the N2 SM information, the N1 response message includes the PDUsession ID and mark/signaling/configuration as ‘Accept/Success’ which isa result therefor.

ii. Alternatively, in the case of Accept/Success, the AMF may notinclude a separate mark/signaling in the N1 response message for the PDUsession ID that corresponds to Accept/Success. In this case, only thePDU session ID corresponding to Reject may be marked/indicated in the N1response message. In addition, the N1 SM information may be included ina separate container of the N1 response message (e.g., ServiceAccept/Reject message), not showing a relation with the PDU session ID,or forwarded to the UE through a separate N1 message which is separatedfrom the N1 response message. The N1 SM information may not bemarked/included in the N1 response message. In this case, while the UEidentifies that the DRB is established by performing a subsequentoperation by the N2 SM information, the UE may identify Accept/Successfor the requested PDU session ID. In this embodiment, there isadvantage/effect that signaling overhead is reduced, and it is availableto configure the Service Accept message efficiently.

iii. In the case of Reject/Failure, the AMF may mark/signal/configurethe PDU session ID and the reject cause therefor:

iii-1) In the case that there is no N11 response message including theN1 SM information or the N2 SM information among all N11 responsemessages, the AMF may regard/determine the Service Request procedureas/to failure, and may transmit the Service response (e.g., Accept orReject) message with the response/result therefor (e.g., reject cause)to the UE.

In the embodiment, the response/result included in the Service response(e.g., Accept or Reject) message may include all of the failureresponse/result for the PDU session ID requested by the UE. That is, thefailure response/result may be represented/indicated/signaled with thePDU session ID that the UE requested but rejected, and the reject causetherefor.

Detailed invention proposal 1-2) In the case of option 2, a condition oftransmitting N1 message, not Service Accept message or Service Rejectmessage

In the detailed invention described above, the condition of transmittingthe Service Accept message and the Service Reject message is specified.

In this detailed invention, when applying option 2 of the detailedinvention 1-1), in the case that a situation other than the condition oftransmitting Service Accept/Reject message occurs, a method for the AMFto transmit a response from the SMF to the UE is to be proposed.

In the case that the AMF receives a response to the N11 message from theSMF but a situation other than the condition of transmitting ServiceAccept/Reject message occurs, the AMF may operate as follows:

-   -   The response from the SMF for the N11 message may be transmitted        to the UE through different/separate N1 message, not the Service        Accept message or the Service Reject message. At this time, the        N1 message may be a DL NAS transport message, for example.    -   When the N1 message is transmitted, a method of including the        response from the SMF may follow the detailed invention proposal        1-1) and/or the detailed invention proposal 1-2)    -   Transmission time of N1 message—In the case that option 2) is        applied when the Service Accept message is transmitted, the AMF        checks the response from all remaining SMFs except the response        from the SMF included in the Service Accept message, and then,        transmits the N1 message with the response from the remaining        all SMFs being included to the UE.

Invention proposal 2) The proposal is to propose a method/operation forsolving problem 2 described above.

In the case that the AMF receives N2 SM information from the SMF (i.e.,a plurality of target SMFs is existed, but the AMF receives the N2 SMinformation from at least one of the SMFs), the AMF may not wait foradditional N2 SM information from the SMF, but immediately transmit N2message (e.g., N2 Request message). Instead, the N2 SM informationtransmitted by the remaining target SMFs may be transmitted by usingdivided/separated N2 message (e.g., N2 tunnel setup request message).The AN that receives this may perform the RRC connection reconfigurationprocedure, which is step 10 of FIG. 15. At this time, there arefollowing two options in the AN operation that receives the N2 messageincluding the separated N2 SM information.

1) Perform the RRC connection reconfiguration procedure whereverreceiving the N2 message

2) Perform the RRC connection reconfiguration after receiving all of theN2 messages

In the case of embodiment 1), since the procedure is progressedsimultaneously/in parallel by the AN and the AMF, there is an effectthat time/delay until the procedure is completed is reduced, and in thecase of embodiment 2), there is an effect that signaling overhead isreduced. In the case of operating in embodiment 1) or 2), the AN orUE-RRC may be required to check the time when the RRC connectionreconfiguration procedure is completed.

For this, the following embodiment is proposed.

When performing step 9 in the Service Request procedure of FIG. 15, inthe case that the AMF transmits the N2 message including the N2 SMinformation received from the SMF, the AMF may operate as below:

-   -   After checking responses from all SMF, the AMF transmits an        indication indicating that a response is received from all SMFs        with being included in the N2 message. In the case of operating        like embodiment 2), the AN may use this indication as an end        mark.    -   In the case of operating embodiment 1), the AN may transmit the        indication with being included in an RRC message to UE-AS (e.g.,        UE-RRC). This indication is forwarded from the UE-AS to the        UE-NAS. The UE-AS that receives the corresponding indication may        identify that the corresponding procedure is terminated without        additional RRC reconfiguration procedure. The UE-NAS may        identify that the DRB establishment procedure triggered by the        Service Request procedure is terminated. The UE-AS or the UE-NAS        identifying that the corresponding procedure is terminated may        progress/perform the subsequent procedures required later.

The embodiment for option 2) of the detailed invention proposal 1-1) andthe detailed invention proposal 1-2) described above are as follows.

Assumption/Premise)

-   -   In the Service Request procedure of FIG. 15, the UE requests        three PDU session IDs (i.e., three PDU session IDs are included        in the ‘Service Request/N1’ message transmitted in step 1), and        all of the target SMFs for each PDU session ID are different. At        this time, the AMF transmits the N11 message to each target SMF        in step 4 and waits for a response.    -   In this embodiment, ‘response from SMF’ means all kinds of        responses that may be received from SMF (e.g., as an example of        the response types, detailed invention proposal 1-2) embodiment        may be applied.).    -   In the case that the AMF transmits the N11 message to the SMF,        at least one PDU session ID may be included in the N11 message.        In response to this, when transmitting the N11 (response)        message, the SMF may transmit the N11 (response) message with a        response to the respective requested PDU session ID to the AMF.        At this time, the AMF may operate differently for each response        to the PDU session ID. For example, in the case that a reject        cause for PDU session ID1 is included and the N1 SM information        and the N2 SM information for PDU session ID2 is included in the        N11 (response) message transmitted by the same SMF, the AMF may        transmit a Service Accept message. In case 1) and case 2) below,        it assumed different target SMF for each PDU session ID, but in        the case of applying scenario in accordance with this, the same        SMF may exist among SMF1, SMF2 and SMF3, and this may be applied        in the form that these are distinguished with different PDU        session ID. For example, in the case that SMF1 and SMF2 are the        same SMF in the following case, SMF1 and SMF2 may be        substituted/distinguished by PDU session ID1 and PDU session        ID2.

Case 1) The response order for the N11 message transmitted by the AMFfrom the SMF may be as follows:

Step 1. N11 response message of SMF1 includes N1 SM information or N2 SMinformation.

Step 2. Response of SMF2

Step 3. Response of SMF3

In this case, the AMF,

-   -   Transmit a Service Accept message in step 1. In the case that        the N1 SM information is included in the N11 response message        received in step 1, the AMF includes the N1 SM information in        the Service Accept message. In the case that the N1 SM        information is included in the response of step 2 and step 3,        the corresponding N1 SM information is transmitted to the UE by        being included in a separate N1 message (e.g., NAS transport        message) in a container form.    -   When up to step 3 is completed, the AMF may determine that        responses from all SMFs are checked, and transmit the responses        (e.g., SMF2 response in step 2 and SMF3 response in step 3) from        the SMF, not included in the Service Accept message, with being        included in a separate N1 message (e.g., NAS transport message).        In the case that the N1 SM information is included in the N11        response message received by the AMF, the AMF may transmit it        with being included in an N1 message (e.g., NAS transport        message).

Case 2) The response order for the N11 message transmitted by the AMFfrom the SMF may be as follows:

Step 1. N11 response message of SMF1 includes a reject cause.

Step 2. N11 response message of SMF2 includes N1 SM information or N2 SMinformation.

Step 3. Response of SMF3

In this case, the AMF:

In step 1, the AMF waits for a response from the next SMF.

In step 2, the AMF transmits a Service Accept message. In the case thatthe N1 SM information is included in the N11 response message receivedin step 2, the AMF includes the N1 SM information in the Service Acceptmessage.

In step 3, the AMF may determine that responses from all SMFs arechecked, and transmit the responses (e.g., responses from SMF1 and SMF3received in step 1 and step 3) from the SMF, not included in the ServiceAccept message, with being included in a separate N1 message (e.g., DLNAS transport message).

Case 3) In the case below, the AMF may transmit a Service Reject/Acceptmessage.

Step 1. N11 response message of SMF1 includes a reject cause.

Step 2. N11 response message of SMF2 includes a reject cause.

Step 3. N11 response message of SMF3 includes a reject cause or N11response message reception failure.

In this case, the AMF:

In step 1, the AMF waits for a response from the next SMF.

In step 2, the AMF waits for a response from the next SMF.

In step 3, the AMF determines that responses from all SMFs are checked,and transmits the responses received from all SMFs with being includedin the Service Accept/Reject message to the UE.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a method for performing a servicerequest procedure of an AMF according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. In relation to this flowchart, the embodiments describedabove may be identically/similarly applied, and the repeated descriptionis omitted. In addition, in this flowchart, at least one step may bedeleted or a new step may be added.

First, an AMF may receive a service request message including a PDUsession ID for a PDU session whose activation is desired by a UE fromthe UE.

Next, the AMF may transmit a first message (e.g., N11 message) includingthe PDU session ID to a SMF.

At this time, when an establishment of the PDU session is rejected bythe SMF, the AMF may receive a second message (e.g., N11 responsemessage) including a reject cause of the PDU session establishment as aresponse to the first message. In this case, the AMF may transmit aservice response message including the reject cause and a PDU session IDrejected by the reject cause to the UE.

On the contrary, when the establishment of the PDU session is acceptedby the SMF, the AMF may receive a third message (e.g., N11 responsemessage) including N2 SM information including information to beprovided from the AMF to an AN as a response to the first message.

In this case, the AMF may transmit the N2 SM information to the AN. Moreparticularly, when a plurality of PDU session IDs involving a pluralityof SMFs is included in the service request message, the AMF may transmitN2 SM information received from at least some of the plurality of SMFsto the AN through an N2 request message without waiting for a receptionof N2 SM information from all of the plurality of SMFs. Further, whenthe additional N2 SM information is received from remaining SMFs exceptthe at least some of the plurality of SMFs, the AMF may transmit theadditional N2 SM information to the AN through a separate N2 message. Atthis time, the separate N2 message may correspond to an N2 tunnel setuprequest message. The AN that receives the N2 SM information may performan RRC connection reconfiguration for the UE based on the received N2 SMinformation.

Different from this, when the plurality of PDU session IDs involving theplurality of SMFs is included in the service request message, theservice response message may be transmitted after the second messageand/or the third message is received from all of the plurality of SMFs.In this case, the service response message may be configured/generatedso as to include an accept result of a PDU session establishment for allof the plurality of PDU session IDs. In addition, the service responsemessage may correspond to a service accept message. That is, the serviceresponse message may be transmitted to the UE as the service acceptmessage always regardless of the accept result for the PDU session.

Apparatus to which the Present Invention May be Applied

FIG. 21 illustrates a block diagram of a communication apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 21, a wireless communication system includes a networknode 2110 and a plurality of UEs (UE) 2120.

The network node 2110 includes a processor 2111, a memory 2112, and acommunication module 2113. The processor 2111 implements the previouslyproposed functions, processes and/or methods. The layers of thewired/wireless interface protocol may be implemented by the processor2111. The memory 2112 is connected to the processor 2111 and storesvarious information for driving the processor 2111. The communicationmodule 2113 is connected to the processor 2111 to transmit and/orreceive a wired/wireless signal. Some examples of the network node 2110may include a base station, an MME, an HSS, an SGW, a PGW, and anapplication server. In particular, when the network node 2110 is a basestation, the communication module 2113 may include a radio frequencyunit for transmitting/receiving a radio signal.

The UE 2120 includes a processor 2121, a memory 2122 and a communicationmodule (or RF section). Processor 2121 implements the previouslyproposed functions, processes and/or methods. The layers of the wirelessinterface protocol may be implemented by the processor 2121. The memory2122 is connected to the processor 2121 and stores various informationfor driving the processor 2121. The communication module 2123 is coupledto processor 2121 to transmit and/or receive wireless signals.

The memories 2112 and 2122 may be located inside or outside theprocessors 2111 and 2121 and may be coupled to the processors 2111 and2121 by various well known means. Also, the network node 2110 (in thecase of a base station) and/or the UE 2120 may have a single antenna ormultiple antennas.

FIG. 22 shows a block diagram of a communication apparatus according toan embodiment of the present invention.

Specifically, FIG. 22 is a more detailed diagram of the UE of FIG. 21.

Referring to FIG. 22, the UE may include a processor (or digital signalprocessor (DSP)) 2210, an RF module (or RF unit) 2235, a powermanagement module 2205, an antenna 2240, a battery 2255, a display 2215,a keypad 2220, memory 2230, a subscriber identification module

(SIM) card 2225 (this element is optional), a speaker 2245 and amicrophone 2250. The UE may also include a single antenna or multipleantennas.

The processor 2210 implements the functions, processes and/or methodsproposed above. The layers of a radio interface protocol may beimplemented by the processor 2210.

The memory 2230 is connected to the processor 2210 and storesinformation related to the operation of the processor 2210. The memory2230 may be located inside or outside the processor 2210 and may beconnected to the processor 2210 by well-known various means.

A user inputs command information, such as a telephone number, bypressing (or touching) a button of the keypad 2220 or by voiceactivation using the microphone 2250, for example. The processor 2210processes a proper function, such as receiving such command informationor making a call to a telephone number, so that the function isperformed. Operational data may be extracted from the SIM card 2225 orthe memory 2230. Furthermore, the processor 2210 may display commandinformation or driving information on the display 2215 so that a usercan recognize the information or for convenience.

The RF module 2235 is connected to the processor 2210 and transmitsand/or receives RF signals. The processor 2210 transfers commandinformation to the RF module 2235 so that a radio signal forming voicecommunication data, for example, is transmitted in order to initiatecommunication. The RF module 2235 includes a receiver and a transmitterin order to transmit and receive radio signals. The antenna 2240functions to transmit and receive radio signals. When the RF module 2235receives a radio signal, it transfers the signal for the processing ofthe processor 2210 and may convert the signal into a baseband. Theprocessed signal may be converted into audible or readable informationthrough the speaker 2245.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a service requestprocedure is more clearly defined, and accordingly, various problemsthat may occur according to ambiguity.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, anaccept/reject for a PDU session establishment and/or a reject cause isclearly instructed to an AMF, and accordingly, there is an effect thatprocedural ambiguity and operational ambiguity of the AMF may besettled.

The Effects which may be obtained by the present invention are notlimited to the aforementioned effects, and other technical effects notdescribed above may be evidently understood by a person having ordinaryskill in the art to which the present invention pertains from thefollowing description.

In the aforementioned embodiments, the elements and characteristics ofthe present invention have been combined in specific forms. Each of theelements or characteristics may be considered to be optional unlessotherwise described explicitly. Each of the elements or characteristicsmay be implemented in a form to be not combined with other elements orcharacteristics. Furthermore, some of the elements and/or thecharacteristics may be combined to form an embodiment of the presentinvention. Order of the operations described in the embodiments of thepresent invention may be changed. Some of the elements orcharacteristics of an embodiment may be included in another embodimentor may be replaced with corresponding elements or characteristics ofanother embodiment. It is evident that an embodiment may be constructedby combining claims not having an explicit citation relation in theclaims or may be included as a new claim by amendments after filing anapplication.

The embodiment according to the present invention may be implemented byvarious means, for example, hardware, firmware, software or acombination of them. In the case of an implementation by hardware, theembodiment of the present invention may be implemented using one or moreapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signalprocessors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs),programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors,etc.

In the case of an implementation by firmware or software, the embodimentof the present invention may be implemented in the form of a module,procedure or function for performing the aforementioned functions oroperations. Software code may be stored in the memory and driven by theprocessor. The memory may be located inside or outside the processor andmay exchange data with the processor through a variety of known means.

In this specification, ‘A and/or B’ can be interpreted to mean ‘at leastone of A and(or) B.’

It is evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention maybe materialized in other specific forms without departing from theessential characteristics of the present invention. Accordingly, thedetailed description should not be construed as being limitative fromall aspects, but should be construed as being illustrative. The scope ofthe present invention should be determined by reasonable analysis of theattached claims, and all changes within the equivalent range of thepresent invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

The present invention, applied to 3GPP LTE/LTE-A/NR (5G) system, isprimarily described as an example, but may be applied to variouswireless communication systems in addition to the 3GPP LTE/LTE-A/NR (5G)system.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for an access and mobility managementfunction (AMF) to perform a service request procedure in a wirelesscommunication system, the method comprising: receiving a service requestmessage comprising a packet data unit (PDU) session identifier (ID) fora PDU session whose activation is desired by a user equipment from theuser equipment; transmitting a first message comprising the PDU sessionID to a session management function (SMF); when an establishment of thePDU session is rejected by the SMF: receiving a second messagecomprising a reject cause of the PDU session establishment as a responseto the first message; and transmitting a service response messagecomprising the reject cause and a PDU session ID rejected by the rejectcause to the user equipment.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: when the establishment of the PDU session is accepted by theSMF: receiving a third message comprising N2 SM information includinginformation to be provided from the AMF to an access network (AN) as aresponse to the first message; and transmitting the N2 SM information tothe AN.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the transmitting the N2 SMinformation to the AN comprises: when a plurality of PDU session IDsinvolving a plurality of SMFs is included in the service requestmessage, transmitting N2 SM information received from at least some ofthe plurality of SMFs to the AN through an N2 request message withoutwaiting for a reception of N2 SM information from all of the pluralityof SMFs.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the transmitting the N2 SMinformation to the AN comprises transmitting additional N2 SMinformation to the AN through a separate N2 message when the additionalN2 SM information is received from remaining SMFs except the at leastsome of the plurality of SMFs.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein theseparate N2 message corresponds to an N2 tunnel setup request message.6. The method of claim 4, wherein the AN is a network node performing aradio resource control (RRC) connection reconfiguration for the userequipment based on the N2 SM information.
 7. The method of claim 3,wherein the service response message is transmitted after the secondmessage and/or the third message is received from all of the pluralityof SMFs when the plurality of PDU session IDs involving the plurality ofSMFs is included in the service request message.
 8. The method of claim7, wherein the service response message comprises an accept result of aPDU session establishment for all of the plurality of PDU session IDs.9. The method of claim 2, wherein the service response messagecorresponds to a service accept message.
 10. An access and mobilitymanagement function (AMF) performing a service request procedure in awireless communication system, the AMF comprising: a communicationmodule configured to transmit and receive signals; and a processorconfigured to control the communication module, wherein the processor isconfigured to: receive a service request message comprising a packetdata unit (PDU) session identifier (ID) for a PDU session whoseactivation is desired by a user equipment from the user equipment,transmit a first message comprising the PDU session ID to a sessionmanagement function (SMF), when an establishment of the PDU session isrejected by the SMF: receive a second message comprising a reject causeof the PDU session establishment as a response to the first message, andtransmit a service response message comprising the reject cause and aPDU session ID rejected by the reject cause to the user equipment. 11.The AMF of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to: when theestablishment of the PDU session is accepted by the SMF: receive a thirdmessage comprising N2 SM information including information to beprovided from the AMF to an access network (AN) as a response to thefirst message, and transmit the N2 SM information to the AN.
 12. The AMFof claim 11, wherein, when the N2 SM information is transmitted to theAN, the processor is configured to: when a plurality of PDU session IDsinvolving a plurality of SMFs is included in the service requestmessage, transmit N2 SM information received from at least some of theplurality of SMFs to the AN through an N2 request message withoutwaiting for a reception of N2 SM information from all of the pluralityof SMFs.
 13. The AMF of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured totransmit additional N2 SM information to the AN through a separate N2message when the additional N2 SM information is received from remainingSMFs except the at least some of the plurality of SMFs.
 14. The AMF ofclaim 13, wherein the separate N2 message corresponds to an N2 tunnelsetup request message.
 15. The AMF of claim 13, wherein the AN is anetwork node performing a radio resource control (RRC) connectionreconfiguration for the user equipment based on the N2 SM information.